Spring Premier Auction 2020
Wed, Apr 15, 2020 08:00PM EDT - Sun, May 3, 2020 07:50AM EDT
Timed Auction
Lot 154
BABE RUTH AUTOGRAPHED "THE TARGET" CARICATURE NEWSPAPER ARTICLE (MAY 9, 1928) BY ROBERT RIPLEY
Sold for
$1,719.60
Sold Price includes BP
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $200 | $25 |
| $500 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $3,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,000 |
| $30,000 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 | $20,000 |
| $300,000 | $25,000 |
| $500,000 | $50,000 |
Leave it to Robert Ripley--yes, he of Ripley's Believe It or Not! fame--to come up with this rather peculiar caricature of Babe Ruth's face over a proverbial target. Dated "5-9-28" at the top of the newspaper page it was cut out from, what the famous American cartoonist was saying is how the biggest celebrities--in this case the best baseball player on the planet in 1928--will always be heavily scrutinized no matter how much success they have had.
"Fans are always aiming something at him. Sometimes they throw bouquets--sometimes they throw bricks. They are either cheering him or jeering him all the time. Recently Babe hit two home runs in one game amid great acclaim, and the next day when he failed to get the ball out of the infield in five attempts--striking out twice--he was the mark for all the razzberries [sic] they could hurl at him. Strange creatures--these fans. And quite a target--this Ruth."
The 8.5" by 8" newspaper cut-out (in 12-by-15 frame) is signed by The Bambino in pencil within the confines of the target to the lower right of Ruth's face. The 6/10 strength of his autograph looks a bit weaker against the thick black lines of Ripley's target background. It was unusual for the larger-than-life man not to choose an open, front-and-center place to sign. Strange thing--this autograph. But quite a signature indeed. Includes full LOA from JSA.
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