This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/14/2012
This lot features a vintage 1910-15 Honus Wagner J.F Hillerich & Son Louisville Slugger 40W decal bat that shows evidence of significant use with numerous ball marks visible on the right, left and back barrel and cleat marks visible on the front, left and right barrel. This highly sought after Wagner bat has lathe marks on the knob and barrel end, measures 34.75 inches and weighs 40.9 ounces which is consistent with documented Honus Wagner bats from the era. The decal on the barrel of the bat has approximately 50% remaining and is all original. These 40 series decal bats were popular retail bats during the early 1900's. They were often used in the minor leagues and made their way to the major leagues. This fact is confirmed by the presence of decal bats in the Louisville Slugger vaults. Honus Wagner was known to have used decal bats as was Ty Cobb. There is photographic evidence of Cobb using decal bats. Due to the lack of bat ordering records in the early 1900's (the fire at Louisville Slugger factory in 1920 destroyed the records as well as many bats) it is very difficult to acquire Honus Wagner bats or to document which ones he used. For this era of 1910-15, there are no known Wagner signature model bats and there is only ONE documented blank barrel bat with provenance. The "Flying Dutchman" played from 1897-1917 so many 3,000 Hit Club collectors still have a big hole in their collections missing Wagner's vaunted lumber. This one would fit perfectly. Accompanied by a Letter of Authenticity from PSA/DNA's John Taube grading the bat a GU 4 overall as well as a Letter of Provenance as to how the bat was acquired and handed down through several generations.
(PSA/DNA John Taube)