1918 Red Sox Babe Ruth Contract (VERY COOL)

[thecatspajamas]

Originally Posted by Big Dave

I'm sure if there is any "monkey business" going on....Mr. Nash will expose it.

...and find some way to blame Mr. Lifson.

[Runscott]

It's a discussion, so anything goes, but the last thing I would want to see in this thread was mention of Nash. I figured you guys would be interested in discussing the actual items.

[kengoldin]

I was the under bidder on this document. Had it not been for the 25% BP for bids 130am or later, I may have bid again and won it.
I have no doubts as to its authenticity. It was offered about 13 years ago at Guernseys, and in 2005 on Steve Geppi's roadshow fwiw.
If the winning bidder is a member of this forum, I would appreciate you contacting me
thanks
Ken Goldin
ken@goldinauctions.com

[JeremyW]

I agree, what an amazing piece of history. Was the typed contract mailed to Ruth to be signed? It appears as if the hand-written letter was mailed. I assume these contracts were not signed during an in-person meeting between Ruth & Frazee? Were both of these documents mailed to Ruth at the same time? Again, I don't doubt the legitimacy of the letters/contracts, I'm just curios to hear how these side-deals went down.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by JeremyW

I agree, what an amazing piece of history. Was the typed contract mailed to Ruth to be signed? It appears as if the hand-written letter was mailed. I assume these contracts were not signed during an in-person meeting between Ruth & Frazee? Were both of these documents mailed to Ruth at the same time? Again, I don't doubt the legitimacy of the letters/contracts, I'm just curios to hear how these side-deals went down.

My guess was that Ruth signed the original (typewritten) contract, with Frazee, etc., present. Ruth probably negotiated for additional incentives, so one of the Red Sox brass quickly created the handwritten piece, Ruth signed on the spot and all was good. If it was mailed, I would expect that they would have typed it up first.

It sounds like Ken has given it a lot of thought - perhaps he'll give his thoughts?

[JeremyW]

I agree that Ruth negotiated for more money, but why does the letter to Ruth address him like a mailed letter?

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by JeremyW

I agree that Ruth negotiated for more money, but why does the letter to Ruth address him like a mailed letter?

It doesn't make sense to me. I have about three scenarios, but my guess is that someone more familiar with such things will give us a simple explanation, so I won't throw my ideas out. Or I will throw them out. I love double entendras.