Update: The Book sold for $7,380, including buyers premium.

Babe Ruth is high on everyone’s list of great American icons.

There is plenty of debate about whether the Great Bambino is the greatest baseball player of all time, but he certainly is the most important.
Ruth was America’s first superstar athlete that transcended sport. He was one of the most recognizable people on the planet, which is due to his success, spirit and attitude that inspired millions.

The Sultan of Swat recorded 714 home runs and 2,214 RBI, both of which were records until the mid-1970s.

He could also be considered the Godfather of Autographs. Ruth was (and is) the most sought-after autograph in the hobby. Always kind to his fans, Ruth signed tons of autographs during his life, but the market is still primed for any high-quality Ruth autograph.

One such autograph was available for auction via Goldin Auctions.

Ruth signed a copy of his autobiography, which was published in April 1948. Ruth died of cancer in August 1948.
Beckett Authentication Services authenticated the autograph.

“To think a Pristine 10 Ruth autograph has survived in this condition for over 70 years is incredible," said BAS Authenticator Larry Studebaker. "This book was signed when The Babe was sadly in poor health but he still gave a beautiful signature. 'The Babe Ruth Story' book had such a short window to be signed in. Ruth passed away mere months after its release. An example like this is definitely an underrated piece of Babe Ruth memorabilia at any price. Nearly 85 years after the end of his playing career, all baseball fans revere Ruth’s accomplishments on the field. His magnificent career and life give him a place in the hobby without parallel. A Babe Ruth autograph is on every collector’s want list regardless of budget. To own one of this quality is a collector’s dream come true.”

Here is the item’s description on Goldin Auctions:

“’The Bambino’ has signed his name in blue fountain pen inside the hardcover first edition of the E.P. Dutton book, which was published in April 1948. The red cloth binding with black text has a red, white and black book jacket, illustrated with photos of Ruth at bat on the front cover, tipping his cap at the bottom of the front cover and on the spine, and in conversation with his ghostwriter, Bob Considine, on the back cover.

"The dust jacket is enclosed in a clear plastic sleeve, and aside from a small tear in the lower right corner of the spine, is in very good condition. The book is in very good condition with clean white pages. ‘My Only Authorized Story’ is displayed on the front cover above the title. The front endpapers feature a photo of Ruth at bat and a chronicle of his 1927 season in which he hit a record 60 home runs, while the back endpapers feature an illustration of ‘The House That Ruth Built.’ The book has 49 black & white photographs interspersed within the 250 pages.”