Legendary Auctions, a leading Sports and Americana auction house, announced that a signed original handprint of Babe Ruth
was sold for a price that would make most peoples’ palms sweat. The unique, mint condition handprint sold for $222,000, more than doubling all previous auction records for a sports item signed by an athlete. (To date, only signed game used items have eclipsed this lofty amount.) The handprint was one of more than 800 items included in the auction event.
According to Doug Allen, President & CEO of Legendary Auctions, bidding on the handprint was heated, and extended well into the early morning hours with several engaged collectors. “There is no secret to the item’s appeal,” said Allen. “Everyone who views the handprint is compelled to place their own hand over it. This is as close to the Babe and that era of baseball history as a collector can get.” In addition, Allen noted, “the record price is a testament to the fact that regardless of the soft economy, great items still achieve great prices.”
The origin of the handprint dates to July, 1934. Palm reader Alice Denton Jennings published an article in an issue of Baseball Magazine entitled “The Hand of George Herman Ruth: A Character Analysis of the Famous Babe’s Paw.” Her in-depth decoding of his handprint confirmed traits of powerful leadership, superior sportsmanship and keen observation. Jennings personally obtained the print from Ruth, and it was utilized as the visual centerpiece for the article.
For information on the Babe Ruth signed original handprint or to consign to an upcoming Legendary Auctions event, call (708) 889-9380 or go to www.legendaryauctions.com. Consignments are currently being accepted for the first auction event of 2011, scheduled for February 23-24, and the industry-leading annual Live auction event to be held in Chicago in August, 2011.
