An iconic Babe Ruth signed baseball was the headline lot of the sale of the "Little" Johnny Sylvester collection at Grey Flannel Auctions in Westhampton, New York.

It achieved a figure of $250,614 on February 6.

The Babe Ruth signed baseball dates to 1926

In October 1926 Sylvester was in hospital after being seriously injured in a horse riding accident, when Babe Ruth and the New York Yankees sent him the autographed ball.

It features the inscription "I'll knock a homer for you on Wednesday", in reference to the ongoing World Series, a promise that Ruth kept when he hit three in game four - something that no other player had ever achieved.

A letter written after Ruth visited the boy made $76,747.

In it, he wishes Sylvester a merry Christmas and invites him to Yankee Stadium to watch the World Series the following year.

It features a strong signature and is written on a "Babe Ruth's coming to town!" letterhead from the Plantage Theatre in Portland, Oregon, where the star was performing a vaudeville show.

Another letter, written before game six of the 1926 series, realised $71,554.

Ruth writes: "I will try to knock you another homer maybe two today. Best regards from your friend and rooter, "Babe" Ruth."

It features a superb signature and an "American League Base Ball Club of New York" letterhead.

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