He was still a solid player and in the prime of life by today’s standards but after the 1933 baseball season, Babe Ruth decided to get his business affairs in order. At age 38, with a wife and family, he decided to draw up his last will and testament. The document, signed with his full given name and dated the day after Christmas, is coming to auction next month. It’s expected to bring a six-figure price.
The vast majority of Babe’s personal memorabilia was gifted, at Ruth’s consent, to the National Baseball Hall of Fame shortly after his passing. His will is among only a few Ruth mementos ever offered to the public with direct Ruth family provenance. It is accompanied by a letter of authenticity from Babe Ruth’s grandson, Tom Stevens.
The nine-page document (pages are 13-by-9 inches) remains in excellent shape and is affixed to the traditional “Last Will and Testament” cover folder, with the ornate old English script and Ruth’s full name and the Dec. 26, 1933 date typed on the cover piece. Ruth signed his name to the last page.
The 1933 will was superseded by another will drawn up five years later, according to SCP. A will Ruth signed on his deathbed in 1948 is on file in New York.
Three other New York State residents have signed as witnesses below Ruth’s signature on the 1933 will up for auction, adding their residence information.
Also included is the traditional heavy cardstock 5-by-10-inch flapped envelope with “Will of George Herman Ruth and the date” typed on the cover.
SCP sold the will two years ago in its Spring Auction when it fetched $100,266.
Bidding opens May 24 at SCPAuctions.com.