Unique glossy 4.75 x 3.25 candid photo of Ruth traveling in a rickshaw, neatly signed on the left side in fountain pen. Scattered creases (most noticeably to lower left), otherwise fine condition. This is affixed within a larger album containing over 200 photos of a family’s trip in Japan, most hand-colored, with most of the images showing children or ordinary life; only a few depict Japanese people, and no other famous figures are present. In 1934, Babe Ruth led a team of American All-Stars on a barnstorming tour of Japan, defeating the Japanese teams in all 18 games they played—Ruth hit 13 home runs in the effort. The trip was a tremendous overall success and did much to enhance baseball’s popularity in the country, and Ruth’s presence was the highlight of the tour—hundreds of thousands came out to see the ‘Living God of Baseball’ in person, and even today there is a plaque in Koshien Stadium commemorating the fact that Ruth played there. This highly unusual photo recalls Ruth’s glorious trip and embodies his status as a worldwide superstar. Pre-certified Steve Grad/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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