"The King of Jazz," popular 1920's bandleader Paul Whiteman is pictured here with his pal, Babe Ruth as they “exchange instruments” in 1926. This is one of two known images of Ruth and Whiteman together at Yankee Stadium with the other appearing in newspapers across the nation in late September of that year. Whiteman is known to have gifted Babe Ruth a saxophone with inscription dated to 1927, though whether or not the very same saxophone was presented at the time of this photo is open to debate.
Photo surface exhibits areas of emulsion cracking at top and bottom thirds, with minor tears present and toning to bottom half of image. Verso displays large Wide World news photo service stamping at center with two areas of tape residue and creasing consistent with cracked emulsion on front. Full LOA from PSA/DNA.