Babe Ruth/Lou Gehrig baseball memorabilia goes under the hammer in Florida

A Florida auction house is offering bats and balls associated with legends Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig

Earlier this week we were reporting on the sale of a particularly unusual piece of baseball memorabilia: Jose Reyes's shorn dreadlocks auctioned on eBay for charity. The shortstop player had to suffer a hair cut to complete his journey across to the Miami Marlins.

However, most baseball collectors will be at least as excited to see some more classical memorabilia appearing -somewhat surprisingly in a Florida art and antiques auction (February 19).

Varnished, signed Babe Ruth baseball

There are two baseballs signed by Babe Ruth himself available. One of them is varnished (unfortunately) but is known to have belonged to the lifetime baseball fan and collector Jack Schimatz.

Schimatz acquired the ball as a boy when he was allowed to come onto the field whilst the players were practising, and Babe Ruth personally signed the ball for him. It remained in his collection until his death aged 92 in 2005.

Lou Gehrig Batrite 1930 Baseball Bat

There is also a baseball with a PSA authenticated signature from Jackie Robinson. The balls surface is in great condition except for the faded ball logo.

Last but not least is a Lou Gehrig 1930 Batrite Baseball Bat, believed to have been used by Gehrig in 1930.

Recent and related articles

· HA.com sells baseball collection of Dr Mark W Cooper - 'history's best-known' | 28 December 2011

· World Series baseball program 'most significant post-1900' brings $0.24m | 14 November 2011

· Honus Wagner baseball card - the 'Holy Grail' of the hobby - to sell tonight | 19 October 2011

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Images: Myers Fine Art