Lot 14. Rare Stangl Pottery Babe Ruth Bust by Noted Designer Dominick DeChristopher. Almost life-size, this limited-edition bust, #1 of only 50 produced, was intended for use as a hat stand. It commemorates Ruth’s first home run on May 6, 1915 at the Polo Grounds. There, Ruth connected with the first pitch off Yankee pitcher Jack Warhop and drove it into the right field grandstand. Neatly hand-lettered on the back of the bust is: “#1, May 6, 1915, New York, Warhop.” The bust is numbered 1 of 7,500. Only a few were actually produced, however, because the Stangl Company went out of business - for the second time. From the 1920s-70s, the company manufactured popular folk-art pottery. It folded in 1978 but was revived briefly in the early 1990s. DeChristopher had worked for the company in the 1960s-70s until health problems forced him into early retirement in 1975. He had designed many of the figural Avon cologne bottles. When Stangl started back up, DeChristopher worked on new designs from his home. This bust of Babe Ruth was his biggest project. He not only designed and sculpted the bust, but also hand-numbered and hand-glazed each one. Not long after completing the project, DeChristopher passed away, in October 1993. Of the 50 hat stand busts produced, 38 were actually sold. They were numbered 1 through 30 and 83 through 95. There apparently were two number 10s, 10 and 10B. Samples make up the remainder. The bust is nm-m with some very minor toning in Ruth’s hair. If that’s a concern, just cover it with a hat; after all, it is a hat stand! Take advantage of this opportunity to own a rare Ruth collectible, literally #1 of a kind! Current Bid $200.
