This exceedingly rare advertising card heralds Babe Ruth's vaudeville debut at Proctor's Theatre in Mount Vernon, New York, on November 3, 1921. The small white-bordered card, measuring 1.75 x 2.75 inches, features an exceptional high-quality continuous-tone real photo of Ruth in uniform as a member of the New York Yankees. Ruth's white facsimile inscription appears in the lower right corner: "To My Mount Vernon Admirers - 'Babe' Ruth - Proctor Theatre - Nov 3-4-5." The preprinted lettering on the reverse notes that this card was "Compliments of Mr. F. F. Proctor to Babe Ruth's Many Mt. Vernon Friends - Appearing at Proctor's - Mount Vernon - Nov. 3rd-4th-5th." The extreme rarity of this card is obviously a result of both its regional distribution and the fact that it promotes a specific three-day event and therefore was distributed for only a very short time (at a small venue, no less). It is quite likely that this may be the lone surviving card heralding Ruth's debut on the famed vaudeville circuit.
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