Legendary August Live 2010
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on:
8/5/2010
The largest and most dramatic Babe Ruth display ever produced! This huge and cleverly folding, three-panel hinged sign pays extraordinary visual tribute to the man who dominated his sport and his era. Ruth was actively sought-after by companies who wished to draw attention to their products: none created a more majestic presentation of Ruth than Old Gold Cigarettes with this eye-catching 38" x 52" mini-billboard. Despite the foot-high letters heralding the featured brand, the viewer's attention is immediately ensnared by the figure who occupies the piece's central panel. There was no more familiar personage in the 1930s era, when this ad was unveiled, and no one entering a merchant's establishment could have failed to be captivated by the powerful pinstriped icon. An inset, with its own rendering of a blindfolded Babe, shows the star rating the taste of a cigarette. "Old Gold's mildness and smoothness marked it 'right off the bat' as the best," Ruth is quoted, with his words printed directly above his large and unmistakable, facsimile signature.
No other display piece can rival this rare survivor in terms of importance. But its sheer size invites damage and destruction, and most of the few known examples have not weathered well. The offered showpiece, however, has been restored to a marvelous approximation of its former glory. The three panels – once separated – have been reattached with archival tape. Ensuing damage from long-ago contact with water – centering about the middle and right-side panels – has been professionally ameliorated by recoloring; it must be noted that the item’s primary design components hold generally original, vibrant quality on their own, without typical fading from exposure to light, and that color work was applied almost wholly to background fields. An all-original, 4" x 6" paper label (stating, "This display installed ---- / Property of P. Lorillard Co.," and confirming the advertisement's company-sanctioned, factory origin) remains firmly attached to the item's back. Impressive, essentially EX/MT character of presentation. This is an outstanding opportunity to obtain the grandest Ruth display of all, and one of the very best items of its kind ever created. Tremendous visual appeal!
1930s Babe Ruth Tri-Fold "Old Gold Cigarettes" - Spectacular Advertising Display!
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