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1920 Babe Ruth "Headin' Home" Movie Advertising Card

Sold For: $8,400
Year: 1920
Auction: 2018 fall
Lot #: 685
Auction Category: Prewar Baseball - 1910s to 1920s Cards

This extremely rare advertising card was issued directly to movie theater operators in 1920 to promote the release of Babe Ruth’s screen debut in Headin' Home. There is no doubt that the fact that this set was issued only to movie theater owners is the reason for its extreme rarity. Headin’ Home was the first of the two feature films Ruth starred in during his career; the other was The Babe Comes Home in 1927. The small sepia-toned card, measuring 1.5 x 2.25 inches, features an exceptional high-quality real photo of Ruth in a follow-through swing as a member of the New York Yankees. The text "Babe Ruth in Headin Home" is printed in white lettering to the left of his image. Designated as Authentic by PSA (submitted by REA) due to an irregular cut along the top edge, the offered card is crisp and clean with a strong image, even wear to the four corners, a faint surface crease, and light soiling on the reverse. The blank reverse has a purple ink stamp representing the theater of which the card was distributed. This is a very attractive example of Ruth, dating from his very first season with the Yankees, which would make an outstanding addition to any Babe Ruth or prewar-card collection. Reserve $300. Estimate (open).