Auction Item Details
Lot 525
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Lot Number: 525
Description: Superb Babe Ruth early career professional model baseball bat c.1917-1921. Hand turned Louisville Slugger 125 model bat with "dash dot dash" center brand measures 35.75" long and weighs 38.6oz. Factory stampings which include his early version facsimile signature remain well defined having been deeply impressed. Strong usage wear is evident with some swelling of the barrel grain due to repeated ball contact. Further evidence can be found in the form of embedded ball and contact marks which are largely concentrated on the area just above his facsimile signature. Original surface patina displays beautifully with small chip having been repaired at a skill level which leaves it largely undetectable unless noted and a hint of the grain swelling reversed. Early career Ruth bat exemplars of this quality level are exceedingly scarce with only a handful having entered the marketplace. The offered bat originated from the personal collection of Kurt Vinman who was a noted businessman in Stockholm, Sweden during the 1920-1930s era. Mr. Vinman owned and operated the Nya Asfalt AB (New Asphalt Inc.) company in Sweden. The company was one of the very first of its type to pave the streets of Stockholm, Sweden with its asphalt, the success of which afforded Mr. Vinman the opportunity to travel the globe. Based on family archives and Vinman's journal we can discern that on two occasions in 1920-1921 and 1934 Mr. Vinman visited the United States. It was during the first visit in either 1920 or 1921 which he visited New York, Washington D.C., and Miami including taking in several baseball games while in New York. As a man of affluence, his business contacts allowed him to meet numerous players and baseball dignitaries including Charles Ebbetts from whom he had a baseball signed but was lost while being used to play ball in Sweden upon return. The offered Ruth bat was obtained as well by Vinman during the visit to New York, remaining in the possession of the family until its consignment to this auction by his direct descendants in Sweden. Babe Ruth game bats of quality with primary source provenance are highly coveted and have become notably difficult to obtain with the original existing qualities having entered the marketplace. Very fine and historic Babe Ruth game bat with impeccable provenance. Includes LOA from Hunt Auctions, letter of provenance from the Vinman family, and copies of the original family images picturing Kurt Vinman aboard the SS Stavenger headed to New York from Sweden: EXEstimated Price Range: ($75,000-$125,000)
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