Auction Item Details
Lot 477
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Lot Number: 477
Description: Rare Harry Hooper side written and vault marked professional model baseball bat c.1910-1915 (PSA GU 10). Hand turned Louisville Slugger baseball bat with seldom seen early "J.F.Hillerich & Son" dash-dot-dash centerbrand measures 34.75" long and weighs 36 oz. Fine usage wear is evident throughout with visible ball contact, stitch, and cleat marks along with handle crack which was repaired in the period. As was customary following use and cracking of a favored bat, it was returned to H&B for use as a model in future orders and side written in grease pencil by long time H&B player representative Henry Morrow, "Old Harry Hooper 4-2-18" on the reverse barrel (note: some of this writing is no longer visible to the naked eye). Also upon return, the name "Hooper" was block letter branded into the barrel and the knob. Both the knob and barrel end are vault marked with the "H41" model number. When initially deaccessioned from the archives of Louisville Slugger (Nov. 2004) the bat was covered in a black residue which has been professionally removed allowing for display of the original surface which displays an appealing rich patina. One of a select number of bats from this early period which can be definitively placed in the hands of so noted a player and assuredly the finest Hooper bat extant. Includes LOAs from Hunt Auctions and PSA/DNA (graded GU 10) and has PSA/DNA: EXEstimated Price Range: ($15,000-$25,000)
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