Auction Item Details
Lot 1051
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Lot Number: 1051
Description: Significant Babe Ruth professional model baseball bat autographed by Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig c.1933-34. Many fine objects of rarity often lack accompanying provenance or history. It is not to say that this scenario in any way deems an item to be not worthy of appreciation. However, when a significant item is uncovered with an overwhelming amount of history and identifying characteristics the degree of separation between it and inferior examples is clear. As such, we offer a Louisville Slugger 125 model bat measuring 35" long and weighing 37oz. Bat exhibits wonderful usage incl. green bat rack marks, ball marks, cleat marks, and notable grain swelling above the barrel label on hitting surface appropriate for a left handed batter (**To clarify, this statement is to indicate that the bat shows definitive indications that Ruth used the bat although he was known to have hit with the "label down" in a style more commonly associated with right handed batters). Handle surface remains as the day it was held by Ruth with hand scoring in the manner of other documented Babe Ruth game used baseball bats. Louisville Slugger centerbrand and Babe Ruth facsimile signature stampings remain pronounced and intact. On the back side of the barrel reside the signatures of the most famed pair of professional baseball players in American history. Both Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig have signed the bat in black fountain pen rating 8/9 out of 10. It is the only Babe Ruth game used bat documented to have been autographed by both Ruth and Gehrig. Most likely used in 1933 as factory records indicate a shipment of three 37 ounce bats on 7/29/1933. Unlike most game used bats with no source or provenance the offered exemplar lays claim to unparalled evidence of possession and almost definitive usage as follows: 1) Direct family provenance 2) Scored handle characteristic of other documented Ruth game used bats 3) Consistent specifications with respect to Hillerich & Bradsby Co. factory records for Ruth 4) Appropriate usage traits incl. left handed batting indications 5) Period signatures of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig placing the bat into Ruth's hands. It is for these reasons and others as indicated throughout the lot description that the offered Babe Ruth bat must be considered to be among the very finest extant. Includes letter of provenance from the Donnelly family, LOA from SCD Authentic D.Bushing-D.Knoll (bat), and LOA from PSA/DNA J.Spence-S.Grad (autographs): Bat: EX, Signatures: NM
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