Beckett Auctions lands Babe Ruth-Harry Frazee dual cut autograph
HISTORICAL DUAL AUTOGRAPH CARD OF BABE RUTH/HARRY FRAZEE HIGHLIGHTS BECKETT AUCTIONS’ OCTOBER LINEUP
A one-of-a-kind autograph card linking the two principles in the sale of Babe Ruth from the Boston Red Sox to the New York Yankees in 1920 highlights the October 2014 Beckett “Legends of Baseball’’ Auction.
The 2005 SP Legendary Dual Cuts Autograph numbered 1/1 features cut signatures of Ruth and former Red Sox owner Harry Frazee, the man who sold Ruth to the Yankees for $125,000 along with a reported $300,000 in loans that Frazee used to help finance one of his Broadway plays. The deal remains the most lopsided in baseball trade in history. The year he was sold, Ruth went on to slug 54 home runs – then a single-season record. Frazee died in 1929 and his signature remains in high demand to those wanting a piece of this unique history.
“It’s a truly awesome card – the significance and the meaning behind the card is a piece of baseball history in itself,” said Rob Springs, Beckett Auctions Acquisition Manager. “We are proud to be able to offer the item for sale in our October ‘Legends of Baseball’ Auction and can’t wait to watch the bidding.”
The Ruth-Frazee dual signed card is the centerpiece of Beckett’s October auction, and will be featured in the company’s online and print promotion throughout auction close on Sunday, Oct. 19. The actual contract of Ruth’s sale, featuring both Ruth and Frazee signatures recently sold for more than $1 million at auction, making the 2005 SP Legendary Dual Cuts auto an even hotter commodity.
“Few cards in the modern era even come close to the historical significance of this one,’’ said Brian Fleischer, senior market analyst for Beckett Baseball. “ This would be a cornerstone card in the collection of the most serious collectors.”
Collectors interested in consigning items for Beckett’s “Legends of Baseball’’ auction should contact Rob Springs at rsprings@beckett.com. To view Beckett’s current auctions, visit auctions.beckett.com.
About Beckett Auction Services
Beckett Auction Services offers a wide array of auction services including monthly online auctions, dedicated dealer specific auctions, case break auctions, plus an eBay consignment division. Housed in the Beckett Media Corporate Headquarters in Dallas, TX, Beckett Auction Services offers its customers the unique opportunity to work directly with Beckett Grading Services, Beckett Certified Appraisals and James Spence Authentication. Please note that there is a 15% buyer’s premium added to the winning bid amount. For your consignment needs, please contact Rob Springs (TDLR Auctioneer License #17414) at rsprings@beckett.com. For all other inquiries and comments, contact auctions@beckett.com.
This is a great piece of baseball history, only wish I had the kind of money to own this.
Does anyone know how much I can get for a kidney and a lung on the black market? That’s about the only way I could afford this beauty.
Great looking card. Myself, I could care less about Frazee as I know the story well and other than the above mentioned sale contract, his auto is one I would really not be interested in. Good luck everyone else (no way I could afford this) and many years of enjoyment to whomever it goes to.
This card is worth 10K tops. The original documents which were destroyed to make this card were probably worth more. And BTW, how do you authenticate either of these?