A check linked to the "Curse of the Bambino" goes on sale here Tuesday.

Signed by Jacob Ruppert in 1922, the check for $50,000 helped secure the trade of Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees from the Boston Red Sox in 1919. That sale is said to have begun the "Curse of the Bambino."

The Red Sox had won five World Series titles before the trade. Afterward, the team went 86 years without such a victory. On the other hand, the Yankees went on to win 39 American League pennants and 26 World Series championships.

The check is being auctioned by Historic Auctions, a 5-year-old St. Petersburg company. According to the company, the check is one of only two known checks in existence directly attributed to the sale of Ruth.

"Never before, and never again, will a transaction of this magnitude ever take place. By signing the aforementioned contract, and effectively this check, [Boston Red Sox owner Harry] Frazee sealed his place in history but had no idea of the 86 year curse he would invoke on his city and team," Historic Auctions said in its description of the document.

Starting bid on the check begins at $25,000. The auction ends May 29.