Summer Premier Auction 2015
Fri, May 8, 2015 08:00PM EDT - Sun, Aug 23, 2015 11:30AM EDT
Timed Auction
Lot 45
1940 BABE RUTH SIGNED BASEBALL TROPHY BALL GIVEN TO WINNER OF THE "TYPICAL AMERICAN FAMILY" CONTEST AT THE 1939-40 NEW YORK WORLD'S FAIR
Sold for
$12,865.20
Sold Price includes BP
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $10 |
| $200 | $25 |
| $500 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $3,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $30,000 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
| $300,000 | $25,000 |
| $500,000 | $50,000 |
In 1940, as a way of promoting countrywide interest to the second year of the New York World's Fair, newspapers throughout the country held essay contests to pick "the typical American family". A total of 45 families were chosen. The winning families would receive an all-expenses paid trip to the Fair, would be given a deluxe Ford V-8 sedan for their use and would live on the fairground on Rainbow Drive in a FHA model house built and decorated by Sears. In Atlanta, 14-year old Gladstone Burnett submitted his entry to his hometown paper in Rockmart, Georgia. His published entry mentions that his father, DG Burnette was "postmaster of Rockmart, commander of the local legion post, a member of the Kiwanis and taught Sunday school at the First Baptist Church." Mom, Reba, who went to Wesleyan College, "was also active in Lutheran church and social affairs and was an excellent golfer". Sister Gloria, age 10, liked to read, swim, and according to the Rockmart Journal "has her own special duties in the home, which she enjoys thoroughly." As for Gladstone, mechanically inclined, he invented an automatic peashooter that "created much excitement among the students" and "constructed a small boat which was the source of much joy until it decided at a very inopportune time to visit Davey Jones' locker."
This group, includes newspaper articles, wire photos, and a Babe Ruth signed baseball trophy that memorialized the Burnett family's memorable experience of being chosen as a "Typical American Family". As part of the theme of celebrating the "typical American", each "typical boy" received a Ruth signed ball for his very own while each "typical girl" received a non-sports related bracelet (not included). This Official Association ball is darkly signed on the sweet spot by Ruth, and has been affixed to a wooden base painted in New York World's Fair colors, with a paper label on which is printed "to Gladstone Burnette". Also included is a photo of Gladstone and Gloria receiving their presents. Ruth was one of numerous personalities who were a part of the revamped fair, which ran from May 11 - October 27, 1940. The ball is lightly toned, the strong signature in black ink grades 8/10. The base is five inches tall, plus the height of the ball.
Includes a full LOA from PSA/DNA.
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