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1938 Babe Ruth's Last Will & Testament
Babe Ruth Last Will and Testament. Painstakingly detailed fourteen-page legal document is a swan song in the twilight of his baseball career from its most heralded player. Details plans for the future administration of Babe Ruth's estate including the stake of his wife "Clara Mae" and daughters Dorothy and Julia. This will, dated February 11, 1938, was executed in the shadow of finality that his baseball career was indeed over. The final line reads, "In Witness Thereof, I have hereunto to this my last Will and Testament, set my hand and seal this 11th day of February, 1938 ("11th" is handwritten by the Babe). It is then magnificently signed in the full "George Herman Ruth" in 10/10 mint black ink. Three others have witnessed it and each has signed it twice. Cover page is stamped "Surrogate’s Court New York County Exhibit No 1 Mar 30, 1954 Samuel S. Larew Official Stenographer". Document itself is in en excellent condition. Ex-Barry Halper Collection; originally obtained from Mrs. Babe Ruth. A fascinating historical piece, there are only two known genuine Babe Ruth wills, this is the earlier of the two. There is great controversy as to whether this second probated will from 1948 is indeed valid, as the Babe allegedly signed it when he was incoherent from his fatal illness. On his "deathbed" will he even misspelled his own first name as "Georgge" (with an extra "g") which he then crossed out. The man who signed his name perhaps more times than any man of his time made a mistake in spelling! Theses wills are in a firestorm of controversy at the moment being featured in an April 18, 2001 New York Times article. If the 1948 will was ever contested and this will (which favors the Ruth family over the executors) would then potentially go into effect. This would then set off much controversy that could bring many "new" issues to the forefront. Not least of which could be the mammoth licensing revenue that the Babe Ruth name and likeness carries with it, and the now priceless memorabilia that resides in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Reserve $5,000.
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