1930 Babe Ruth Contract????

NoDo · June 26, 2007 3:54AM

First off I am new to the forum and would like to say hello to all.
At this time I am trying to find out how to get a value or how to get something authentized. I have come across what is to be believed as an original 1930 Babe Ruth contract. My uncle had purcahsed it in the early 1970's in Missouri. His father was an umpire for the NL for some 20 years or so. As far as I have found out so far the contract is the original. It is in Mint condition and has been stored properly for the past 30+ years. I am in need to trying to find out on how to get a value of this item. If someone could help out that would be great. I have faxed a copy of the contract to a couple different places and I have already had an offer made of $20k on it from Stiner Sports. They even offered to fly in to take a look at it and cut me a check on the spot. If someone could point me in the right direction that would be great.

Thanks

baseballfanatic · June 26, 2007 4:02AM

Contact Mastro and consign it for the next auction. It will leave 20,000 in the dust.....

lickablebean · June 26, 2007 4:02AM

Let's see a pic

CDsNuts · June 26, 2007 4:14AM

What kind of contract? A contract to play from a team or a contract of some other kind (endorsement, etc..)?

nam812 · June 26, 2007 4:14AM

Forget checks, demand cash.

GlynRParson · June 26, 2007 4:36AM

If you can wait a year put it in the next REA auction.

NoDo · June 26, 2007 5:16AM

this was his baseball contract signed by both him and the owner. It was stated he was to make $80k that year. i will get a pic up later.

how can I contact Mastro?

thanks

baseballfanatic · June 26, 2007 5:30AM

<< how can I contact Mastro?

thanks >>

Look at the link on top of this page.....

WinPitcher · June 26, 2007 5:36AM

welcome to the boards.

you guys really think it is worth well more then 20k?

Steve

stown · June 26, 2007 5:50AM

<< this was his baseball contract signed by both him and the owner. It was stated he was to make $80k that year. i will get a pic up later.

how can I contact Mastro?

thanks >>

Mastro Consignment Link

frankhardy · June 26, 2007 6:07AM

I would love to see a scan of it!

I have a 1961 Jim Beauchamp player contract that I will trade you for it! Just let me know what you decide!

NoDo · June 26, 2007 6:45AM

thanks for the info guys. i will put a copy of it later tonight when i get home.
I just recieved another offer from a collector in Ohio for $70k

stevek · June 26, 2007 7:03AM

Look forward to seeing it.

Maybe if you get lucky a rich collector will see it here and blow you away with a nice offer.

stevek · June 26, 2007 7:19AM

Ruth salary contract info:

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/tsn/babe_ruth_salary.shtml

JackWESQ · June 26, 2007 7:24AM

Dear NoDo,

The contract the shipped Ruth from the Red Sox to the Yankees sold for $996,000.00 on June 10, 2005.

Babe Ruth Red Sox - Yankee Contract

The final contract that Ruth signed (1935 agreement to play for the Boston Braves) sold for $165,100.00 on November 3, 2000.

Babe Ruth's Last Contract

Does your contract look similar to this copy of a 1930 contract currently on ebay?

1930 Players Contract for Babe Ruth

If authentic, I can't see your contract going for less than $250,000.00.

/s/ JackWESQ

stevek · June 26, 2007 7:27AM

Looks like you may have hit the jackpot - unless it's a copy.

Posted 6/10/2005 8:02 PM Updated 6/10/2005 8:04 PM

Babe Ruth contract sells after 15 minutes of intense bidding

By Larry Mcshane, The Associated Press

NEW YORK — The 1919 contract that shipped Babe Ruth from Boston to the Bronx sold at auction Friday for a staggering $996,000, delighting its new owner a die-hard Yankees fan and a hunger-relief group designated to receive a financial windfall from the sale.

Peter Siegel, the man who purchased the contract, poses inside his store next to a picture of Babe Ruth in New York on Friday.
By Bebeto Matthews, AP

"I was prepared to pay almost whatever it took," said Pete Siegel, head of Manhattan-based Gotta Have It Collectibles, after his winning offer. "I'm not saying a billion dollars, but whatever price I needed to secure it."

The crowd at Sotheby's burst into cheers when the final hammer came down after 15 minutes of intense bidding. The five-page typed contract recorded the unprecedented deal blamed for dooming generations of Red Sox fans to heartbreak as victims of "The Curse of the Bambino."

The price was nearly double the presale estimate for the Dec. 26, 1919, contract, signed by owners Harry Frazee of the Red Sox and Jacob Ruppert of Yankees, and nearly 10 times the $100,000 cost of purchasing Ruth.

It was a deal that had lasting repercussions in both cities. The Red Sox, with Ruth, had won the World Series one year earlier. They wouldn't taste a title again until last year, when "The Curse" was finally broken with their World Series victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.

In between, the Yankees won 26 championships while Boston suffered some of the most agonizing defeats in baseball history. Ruth went on to become one of the most dominant and recognizable figures in all sports.

"This, to me, is the most important sports document," said Siegel, who had no immediate plans for the contract other than to keep it in a safe place. "Besides sports, it crosses over into American history. It has a lot going for it."

Proceeds from the sale were donated to the hunger-relief organization America's Second Harvest, which provides food for 23 million low-income Americans each year. The contract was previously owned by Rhode Island philanthropist Alan Shawn Feinstein.

The cost of the contract fell short of the priciest bit of Babe memorabilia, a massive 46-ounce Louisville Slugger used by the Bambino to drill the first home run in Yankee Stadium history. It sold in December 2004 for the Ruthian price of $1.26 million, the most ever paid for a baseball bat.

Another prime bit of Boston baseball memorabilia sold Friday for $132,000 — the first ball thrown at the April 20, 1912, debut of Fenway Park. Umpire Tom Connolly held onto the future collectible, inscribing it with the message, "Fenway Park, First Ball Pitched."

The baseball sold for more than double its presale estimate of $50,000. The identity of the winning bidder was not released.

A London-based online gambling operation paid $102,000 for the 700th home run hit by the player closest to Ruth on the career home run list, Barry Bonds. Only Bonds, Ruth and all-time leader Henry Aaron have eclipsed the 700-homer mark.

Bonds, who has yet to play this season because of an injured right knee, has 703 home runs. Sportsbook.com said it intends to donate the ball to the baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.

A baseball signed by Ruth and Yankees teammate Lou Gehrig sold for $42,000, well above the presale estimate of $5,000.

One of the other big baseball sellers: a 1911 Honus Wagner baseball card, one of only about 50 still in existence, sold for $132,000. While above the presale estimate, the purchase still paled next to the $1.265 million paid for a 1909 Wagner card in 2000.

The auction prices include the house premium of 20% on the first $200,000 and 12% thereafter.

WinPitcher · June 26, 2007 8:02AM

Wow and Steiner offered 20K?

kinda weasely if you ask me.

Steve

WinPitcher · June 26, 2007 8:04AM

Im confused, the OP has a 1930 contract and the one on ebay is also a 1930?

is his 29-30 and the one on ebay 30-31?

Steve

edited to add:

it just dawned on me that copies of each year exist.

Steve

NoDo · June 26, 2007 8:11AM

thanks for all the info guys. Steiner offered 20k right off the back after just recieving a faxed copy of it. I have been in contact with a few other collectors and everyone seems to think that it is the original. It was braught to my attention that there were 2 copies of the original contract both signed by the owner, babe himself and a witeness. One has been missing for many years and this is thought to be that one.
the pic will be up later tonight for everyones viewing pleasure.

WinPitcher · June 26, 2007 8:16AM

Even so, 20k was a very low ball bid for what has been shown here and they if anyone should know better.

If i were you i'd keep it. Why go to jail for scamming people over the internet?

Steve

handyman · June 26, 2007 8:32AM

Times that 20k offer by 10. YOu should be able to buy a new home with this deal.

stevek · June 26, 2007 9:24AM

I'd be interested in it for myself, but I just bought a very high grade 1952 Topps baseball card of Berk Ross, so I'm tapped out. Perhaps somebody else here could put together a buyer consortium and purchase this item from you. Maybe say 250 members here could put up $1,000 apiece offering you $250,000 - then the item could be mailed from member to member throughout the year so that every buyer could enjoy this magnificent historical item for a few days and then mail it to the next member.

DaddyRich · June 26, 2007 9:39AM

Congratulations on your future big payday - it'd be hard not to sell that baby, not too many of us are so financially secure that we could sit on it for a while. As for stevek, glad to hear you got that 1952 Topps Berk Ross in high grade, you should try to become a Yogi Berra collector, too. I hear he's good.

handyman · June 26, 2007 10:43AM

Whatever you do, Do not sell it to a dealer. All they will do is put it in a major auction, and make a years salary. One that a doctor should make a year. Put it on Mastro whatever you do. Dont even bother asking for offers. You will lose money if you do that. ONLY PUT IT UP FOR AUCTION, And not ebay!!!!!! MASTRO IS THE BEST PLACE FOR THAT!!!!!!

NoDo · June 26, 2007 10:44AM

so here is a quick scanned copy of the contract.
enjoy

handyman · June 26, 2007 10:56AM

Are the writings by you or someone else??

NoDo · June 26, 2007 11:11AM

all the writing that says "copy" and what not is by me. I wrote copy not for re-sale on the copies that I sent out just to be on the safe side.

frankhardy · June 26, 2007 11:20AM

That is an absolutely gorgeous Ruth signature. If it's real, that's one of the best looking ones I've ever seen.

Have you thought about my offer (you know, the Beauchamp player contract)?

stown · June 26, 2007 11:21AM

If that's legit, I'm blown away to be honest.

I mean, major, major, MAJOR props!

My advice: DO NOT SELL YET

Contact PSA and the big auction houses first and foremost. Get it authenticated and then enjoy your newly found wealth.

Again, assuming it's legit

Edited to add: I'm not saying you can retire on it but that's a lot of check change for nothing

sagard · June 26, 2007 11:29AM

I really think you should work with Mastro or REA. You should expect no seller's premium and a portion of the buyer's premium. Get the item into a bank ASAP.

NoDo · June 26, 2007 11:49AM

someone got a number to contact PSA?

JackWESQ · June 26, 2007 12:01PM

Dear NoDo,

Collectors Universe
1921 East Alton Avenue
Santa Ana, CA 92705
United States of America
888-469-2646

/s/ JackWESQ

stown · June 26, 2007 12:01PM

PSA/DNA
P.O. Box 6180 Newport Beach, CA 92658
Tele: (800) 325-1121, (949) 833-8824
Fax: (949) 833-7660
info@psadna.com

NoDo · June 26, 2007 12:28PM

thanks everyone

stown · June 26, 2007 12:34PM

By the way, you should email Joe Orlando immediately. Have the subject short, sweet, and to the point (ex "Possible 1930 Authentic Babe Ruth Contract").

jorlando@collectors.com

Give him the link to this thread:

http://forums.collectors.com/messageview.cfm?catid=11&threadid=593502

After seeing the pictures, I'm sure you will get a prompt response and sound advice.

MooseDog · June 26, 2007 12:59PM

<< Times that 20k offer by 10. YOu should be able to buy a new home with this deal. >>

Where?

For the record, I'm in California where $200,000 won't buy you a parking space...

TNTonPMS · June 26, 2007 1:18PM

Definitely not here . . .
I'd say it would fetch a heck of a lot more than 200K !
In a Heartbeat .
Herbert Hoover was only getting 75k at the time or sumthin like that.

So those are copies of the original contract though and you wrote on those , so I have this straight . . . ?

Do you have any scans of the original contract ?
Everyone here would absolutely love to see those .
To help steer you in the right direction , I'd say better get it authentisitiezed though , I'm sure you showed whoever is flying out , i'm sure if they are flying out , they are pretty certain they got a good shot at it .

At any rate . . .that's sick man !

CDsNuts · June 26, 2007 1:23PM

If legit, $163,000. A drunk guess.

Lee

TNTonPMS · June 26, 2007 1:31PM

Naaaaa, I think it would go for way more .
The guys with the deep pockets would bid big on it , especially if one is " Collecting em "

though not as significant as his Sox to Yanks contract or his original contract . . .still , I don't know of any more wanted item to possibly be had .

I'm thinkin 3 maybe just a touch under

NoDo · June 26, 2007 2:56PM

TNTonPMS: just to clarify the copys are the only ones written on not the original.

here is a pic of the original with the signatures.

im feeling pretty good about this thing at this time.

kmnorton · June 26, 2007 3:09PM

You should, considering This just went for $40K

TNTonPMS · June 26, 2007 3:40PM

<< TNTonPMS: just to clarify the copys are the only ones written on not the original.

here is a pic of the original with the signatures.

im feeling pretty good about this thing at this time.

>>

Thank You Mr.NoDo !
That is awesome !
Simply off the charts .
Thank you for sharing that with us .
Amazing condition , like you said too .
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That baseball card is beautiful too . . .
I can't believe that pic either !

JackWESQ · June 26, 2007 4:01PM

Dear NoDo,

As Harry Caray would say, "Holy Cow!" I'd estimate $400,000.00, plus or minus $100,000.00. Great picture.

/s/ JackWESQ

P.S. For an item like this, you might consider Christie's or Sotheby's

Christie's

Sotheby's

obusek99 · June 26, 2007 6:27PM

Keep us updated on what is happening...I would love to hear how this all goes start to finish. Are you the sole owner of the contract? Left to you in a will? There's a story in here somewhere.

nam812 · June 26, 2007 7:50PM

<< I have already had an offer made of $20k on it from Stiner Sports........ >>

They should be ashamed of themselves.

stevek · June 26, 2007 8:28PM

Might be a good idea to consult with a good business attorney about this. You don't want some weasel memorabilia company possibly ripping you off in some unforeseen manner, even in a legal way. Probably worth a few thousand bucks in lawyer fees to help protect yourself here. This is a lot of money, and perhaps a once in a lifetime opportunity, presuming you're going to sell it, and you want to make the most of that opportunity.

scooter729 · June 26, 2007 9:58PM

Nothing to add but WOW and thanks for sharing....

frankhardy · June 26, 2007 10:23PM

I know you told us a little bit about it (like the fact that it has been stored properly for 30 years). Have you had it in your possesion that long? If you don't mind telling us - what did it cost you or your uncle (if anything)? Did your uncle give it to you?

I guess, the Jim Beauchamp player contract trade is out of the question, right?

clydecoolidge · June 26, 2007 11:23PM

Damn!!! What an awesome thing to look at to start the morning. Good luck and be careful whatever you do with it!!!

NoDo · June 27, 2007 12:53AM

so here is the story behind it. It was purchased from a pawn whop in Missouri back in 1970. It has been stored away since then. my aunt was cleaning out a file cabinet and came accross it. She didnt even know what it was at first nor did she know that she even had it. I personally use to be into collecting sports memorabilla when I was younger but kind tappered away from it. So she decided to pass it on to me to find the value and possibly sell it since I am always about making some $$$ and im damn resourceful when it comes to stuff like this. hahaha. As for plans with the contract, if it is real then I believe we are going to sell it. Since it actually belongs to her it will be on her approval and I will simply take my cut off the top. The more the marrier. Well anyway I want to thank everyone for their info and help with the contract and if anyone has anything else to add plus do.

thanks
noah
602-705-1299

Sorry frankhardy but no trade unless its for that 1928 babe ruth contract. haha
thanks

JackWESQ · June 27, 2007 1:49AM

Dear Noah,

By your telephone number, it might be worth the short drive/flight out to Southern California to have Collectors Universe/PSA take a look at it. Keep us posted and thanks much.

/s/ JackWESQ

1930 Babe Ruth Contract????

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