Babe Ruth Bat Paces All-Star FanFest Auction

A circa 1918-1920 Babe Ruth professional model baseball bat sold for $117,500 in the annual auction during MLB’s All-Star FanFest on Tuesday afternoon.  

The “George Babe Ruth” facsimile signature impressed in the barrel is the earliest version employed on Ruth game bats and was in use from mid 1918 through 1922.  The bat was graded 8.5 by PSA/DNA.

It was sold on the second day of a two-day event that began Monday with vintage baseball photographs from the Photo File Archive.  An original Paul Thompson photo of a young Ruth, dating to 1921, was the top-selling item on Day One, bringing $49,350.

One of Mickey Mantle’s 1968 game caps, given by the Hall of Fame slugger to teammate Tom Tresh achieved the second highest overall tally, selling for $58,750. 

All prices include a 17.5% buyer’s premium.

Other items sold included:

• Mel Allen’s 1952 Yankees World Series ring  $32,312
• Mel Ott’s 400th home run ball from Ott estate collection  $25,850
• Jack Adams 1915 NL Championship pocket watch  $23,500
• 1965-68 Mickey Mantle game bat  $21,150
• Walter Johnson portrait photo by Paul Thompson  $21,500
• 1934 Mel Ott contract  $18,800

“We are extremely honored to once again participate in the MLB All-Star Game Week events. Washington D.C. provided a perfect backdrop for an exceptional live auction of historic baseball memorabilia.” Said David Hunt, President Hunt Auctions.“ The history and popularity of the game of baseball was clearly evident in the outstanding prices realized during the auction.”

For complete results, visit HuntAuctions.com.

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About Rich Mueller

Rich is the editor and founder of Sports Collectors Daily. A broadcaster and writer for over 35 years and a collector for even longer than that, he's usually typing something somewhere. Type him back at [email protected]