In August of 1928 as part of its "Fro-joy Cone Week" promotion the company issued six small Ruth cards which could then be submitted by mail in exchange for a photographic premium of the Bambino batting featuring a now famous Charles Conlon image (familiar from the later '33 Goudey set). That same iconic Conlon image was also artistically rendered in portrait style for this 12"-tall counter sign"”the only known example in its size and one of only two Ruth Fro-joy advertising signs in existence. Produced by the notable Grinnell Litho Co. of New York the central image of the Bambino is enhanced with muted illustrations of a stadium grandstand and an array of baseball equipment. An unfurled scroll proclaims the product's content of "Youth Units" and references an orphanage charity event hosted by Babe in Boston: "'Babe' Ruth says: I understand your Fro-joy Ice Cream is Chock-full of Youth Units and that Fro-joy Cones are pure and wholesome. I want to give each one of these thousand orphan boys a Fro-joy Cone filled to the brim with Fro-joy Ice Cream." Physically the sturdy sign is composed of 1/8"-thick cardboard but of an unusually dense and high-quality construction that would almost give the impression of a particle-board or wood. Perhaps it is that durability which explains how the surface in general and the die-cut portions in particular have survived nearly a century with such impressive integrity. The only flaws (virtually indiscernible) are a light touch of handling to Ruth's cap and very discreet professional attention to a wrinkle on his bat. Otherwise the sign is clean darkly printed and beautifully preserved with a pristine never-used easel stand. This sign reportedly surfaced in the mid-1970s with the family of a former Fro-joy employee and was last sold publicly in 2010 for almost $23000. One of the great advertising pieces in the entire hobby it sets the standard for combining rarity condition and desirability. Near Mint to Mint.