Two months prior to his passing Babe Ruth returned to Yankee Stadium for the last time on June 13th 1948 as part of the 25th anniversary of the opening of The House That Ruth Built. Culminating the event the Yankees retired Babe Ruth's number 3. One by one his old friends and teammates were introduced to the nostalgic cheers of the capacity crowd. Finally announcer Mel Allens voice boomed from the loudspeakers Ladies and Gentleman George Herman RuthBabe Ruth! Amidst a raucous ovation the weakened Ruth frail and ailing with throat cancer stepped for the last time onto the infield grass bat in hand into the cauldron of sound he must have known better than any other man. Draped in his old uniform he struggled forward helped by the support of the bat borrowed from Bob Feller to address the crowd of 49647 as they showered their hero with one final roar of affection and an ebullient singing of Auld Lang Syne. Nat Fein was a Press Photographer for the New York Herald Tribune for thirty-three years. In that span he won more press photo awards than any of his contemporaries. Although considered to be one of the greatest human interest photographers in journalism he carries the distinction of having taken "the most celebrated photograph in sports history." (NY Times 1992). Feins dramatic Babe Ruth image "The Babe Bows Out" captured at Yankee Stadium on June 13th 1948 was the first sports picture to win a Pulitzer Prize.

The offered example of Feins famous image has the distinction of being printed by Fein himself from his original negative. Furthermore it was signed by Fein and inscribed on the back in his own hand offering his own account of the accolades generated by the image. This 8-3/4 by 7 photo is a remarkable specimen showing flawless contrast and remarkable clarity. Fein has added his inscription to the front of the photo To my good friend Alex Best Wishes Nat Fein (8/10) as well as the date 9-20-84. The back of the photo has Feins ink notation Won Pulitzer Prize July 1948 Best in show N.Y. Press Photographers Baseball Hall of Fame Best Sports Photo in last 50 years etc. Photo by Nat Fein. The writing shows some smudging remaining dark and legible. One of the most uniquely self documented examples of Fein acclaimed image also benefits from a letter of provenance from the Alex to whom its inscribed detailing how he received it from Fein (a family friend) and Feins acknowledgement to him that he produced the image himself.