Eric
04-20-2006, 08:46 PM
Hey all-
The Babe Ruth bat in the Mastro auction ending tonight is up to $91,672.
It got an A-10 from MEARS
Here's the title
Babe Ruth 1918 Game Used Bat, Vault Marked R2 - His First Professional Model Bat!
Description
Lot Description
Like the final, telling ingredient to a recipe or a captivating measure to a musical composition, the very nature of this Babe Ruth wielded war club entails all that the Bambino needed to stage a hitting assault unequaled before or since. Turned in 1918—prior to his infamous, "curse-launching" sale to the New York Yankees—this white ash hitting relic is the concrete symbol of not only the demise of the subsequently long-plagued Boston Red Sox franchise, but a representation of all that was right with Ruth and, as a result, all that quickly became right with the (then) tainted institution of baseball. Unfamiliar with anything other than the "Deadball Era"—and disheartened by the Chicago Black Sox 1919 disgrace—baseball fans were about to be wowed by Ruth home runs whose tape-measure distances were decidedly impressive, but not as impressive as the unprecedented regularity which they were launched. Factory records reveal that Ruth signed a contract with Hillerich & Bradsby on July 9, 1918. Offered is what we and our authenticators believe to be Ruth's first professional model, signature contract bat. Ruth's "small R" facsimile signature on the barrel of this 35-1/2", 38-1/2-oz. lumber was the first such scripting found on his bats, confirming that date. Indicating that this model fit Ruth's desires for additional duplicate models are both vault marks on the knob and side writing about the barrel. These details were added upon the bat's return to its Kentucky birthplace. Stamped upon the knob (within three separate lines) are remnants of "George "Babe" Ruth" and "Trademark Reg U.S. Pat Off." Stamped over the above-mentioned characters is a factory vault mark of "R2." (Oh, the damage this man administered with bats turned to these specifications!) Unlike this "R2" vault engraving, the former stampings are filled with black residue. This is almost certainly carbonized wood caused by a factory fire in 1931, with the "R2" stamping having been placed at a later date. As for the side writing, this is visible upon the barrel. Likely composed by Louisville Slugger employee Henry Morrow (as was the standard in that day) grease pencil notations denoted the bat's weight, players name, team and league, and the date of its return to the factory. While there are definitely remnants of this procedure upon the barrel of this bat, the actual characters are indiscernible. Further supporting the belief that this hitting relic was in the 1931 factory fire is the presence of a centerbrand, which, unlike its neighboring, vintage barrel stamping, is free from the previously mentioned black residue. Rarely do we see a bat manufactured for a player with only a barrel brand, but such was the case here. Factory documents indicate that this well defined centerbrand was added on "8-14-24" for "Caliper only" purposes. Thus we can logically deduce that the centerbrand was added for display purposes. Anne Jewell, curator of the Louisville Slugger historical library, has confirmed this bat was put on display at the Louisville Slugger Company. Keeping in mind the bat's importance, without the familiar Hillerich & Bradsby centerbrand, one could not readily determine the bat's original manufacturer. In the case of Ruth and his well documented endorsement strength, Hillerich & Bradsby wanted all to know that the great Bambino used only their lumber. This uncracked treasure shows all the earmarks of outstanding game use—with a compact hitting zone characteristic to Ruth bats. Ruth's utterly amazing hand-eye coordination resulted in ball marks appearing on a confined, almost exclusive area of his bats. Nearly all vintage images show Ruth batting with the centerbrand turned away from him. The battle marks on this particular bat are consistent with that positioning. The flame-treated grain retains a smooth, brown-hued finish, and a lathe mark is present upon the detailed knob. Every last detail represents impeccable provenance here. Enticing, as well, is the fact that it's the Babe's first contracted model and, having met with his resounding approval, was returned for more of the same. In terms of the Babe—and hence, baseball—it doesn't get any better. Graded A-10* by MEARS. LOAs from Dave Bushing & Troy Kinunen/MEARS, John Taube/PSA DNA.
Check it out at
http://www.mastronet.com/index.cfm?action=DisplayContent&ContentName=Lot%20Information&LotIndex=57093&CurrentRow=1
The Babe Ruth bat in the Mastro auction ending tonight is up to $91,672.
It got an A-10 from MEARS
Here's the title
Babe Ruth 1918 Game Used Bat, Vault Marked R2 - His First Professional Model Bat!
Description
Lot Description
Like the final, telling ingredient to a recipe or a captivating measure to a musical composition, the very nature of this Babe Ruth wielded war club entails all that the Bambino needed to stage a hitting assault unequaled before or since. Turned in 1918—prior to his infamous, "curse-launching" sale to the New York Yankees—this white ash hitting relic is the concrete symbol of not only the demise of the subsequently long-plagued Boston Red Sox franchise, but a representation of all that was right with Ruth and, as a result, all that quickly became right with the (then) tainted institution of baseball. Unfamiliar with anything other than the "Deadball Era"—and disheartened by the Chicago Black Sox 1919 disgrace—baseball fans were about to be wowed by Ruth home runs whose tape-measure distances were decidedly impressive, but not as impressive as the unprecedented regularity which they were launched. Factory records reveal that Ruth signed a contract with Hillerich & Bradsby on July 9, 1918. Offered is what we and our authenticators believe to be Ruth's first professional model, signature contract bat. Ruth's "small R" facsimile signature on the barrel of this 35-1/2", 38-1/2-oz. lumber was the first such scripting found on his bats, confirming that date. Indicating that this model fit Ruth's desires for additional duplicate models are both vault marks on the knob and side writing about the barrel. These details were added upon the bat's return to its Kentucky birthplace. Stamped upon the knob (within three separate lines) are remnants of "George "Babe" Ruth" and "Trademark Reg U.S. Pat Off." Stamped over the above-mentioned characters is a factory vault mark of "R2." (Oh, the damage this man administered with bats turned to these specifications!) Unlike this "R2" vault engraving, the former stampings are filled with black residue. This is almost certainly carbonized wood caused by a factory fire in 1931, with the "R2" stamping having been placed at a later date. As for the side writing, this is visible upon the barrel. Likely composed by Louisville Slugger employee Henry Morrow (as was the standard in that day) grease pencil notations denoted the bat's weight, players name, team and league, and the date of its return to the factory. While there are definitely remnants of this procedure upon the barrel of this bat, the actual characters are indiscernible. Further supporting the belief that this hitting relic was in the 1931 factory fire is the presence of a centerbrand, which, unlike its neighboring, vintage barrel stamping, is free from the previously mentioned black residue. Rarely do we see a bat manufactured for a player with only a barrel brand, but such was the case here. Factory documents indicate that this well defined centerbrand was added on "8-14-24" for "Caliper only" purposes. Thus we can logically deduce that the centerbrand was added for display purposes. Anne Jewell, curator of the Louisville Slugger historical library, has confirmed this bat was put on display at the Louisville Slugger Company. Keeping in mind the bat's importance, without the familiar Hillerich & Bradsby centerbrand, one could not readily determine the bat's original manufacturer. In the case of Ruth and his well documented endorsement strength, Hillerich & Bradsby wanted all to know that the great Bambino used only their lumber. This uncracked treasure shows all the earmarks of outstanding game use—with a compact hitting zone characteristic to Ruth bats. Ruth's utterly amazing hand-eye coordination resulted in ball marks appearing on a confined, almost exclusive area of his bats. Nearly all vintage images show Ruth batting with the centerbrand turned away from him. The battle marks on this particular bat are consistent with that positioning. The flame-treated grain retains a smooth, brown-hued finish, and a lathe mark is present upon the detailed knob. Every last detail represents impeccable provenance here. Enticing, as well, is the fact that it's the Babe's first contracted model and, having met with his resounding approval, was returned for more of the same. In terms of the Babe—and hence, baseball—it doesn't get any better. Graded A-10* by MEARS. LOAs from Dave Bushing & Troy Kinunen/MEARS, John Taube/PSA DNA.
Check it out at
http://www.mastronet.com/index.cfm?action=DisplayContent&ContentName=Lot%20Information&LotIndex=57093&CurrentRow=1