Auction Item Details
Lot 559
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Lot Number: 559
Description: Ty Cobb professional model baseball bat c.1921-1931 - a prized possession of Joe Sewell and signed "given to me...in 1925. Hand turned Louisville Slugger 125 model baseball bat has deeply impressed "Ty Cobb" facsimile signature burned into the barrel end measures 34" long and weighs 42.1oz. Also present in barrel is an additional "Joe Sewell" factory applied facsimile signature stamping. The very end of the barrel has an area of natural wood where it appears the bat may have been shortened at the factory likely at the request of Sewell. The circumstances of the placement of this Sewell facsimile signature are relayed within family lore as having been done at his request after Cobb gifted him the bat in 1925. So interested was Sewell in Cobb's favored model that he sent the bat, along with another, back to H&B to have his own signature added for posterity. Notations made within Sewell's shipping records illustrate his preference for the model with recordings of "Old Ty Cobb" beginning in 1926 and "His Ty Cobb" a few years later. We can reasonably conclude that this supports his use of the model after having been given this Cobb bat and growing fond of its specifications. It is a distinct possibility that his intention in sending this example back was to serve as an example for his future orders. Usage wear is evident in the form of a well toned surface reminiscent of the well known practice of applying tobacco juice and some scattered ball and cleat marks. It has been documented that Major League players of the 1920-1930s era would frequently send back their game-used bats to the Hillerich & Bradsby Factory for the purpose of re-order. Through period photography within the H&B archives we can further document that a number of the returned game bats were retained within the factory and sorted by player model for future reference. Based on the aforementioned provenance of the bat along with the supportive evidence as it relates to the Hillerich & Bradsby factory, it is possible the bat was used by Ty Cobb, Joe Sewell, or both Hall of Fame players adding a unique desirability to its pedigree. The piece was prized by Sewell throughout his life and was prominently displayed within the family home where it has resided until just prior to this offering. He signed the barrel in silver paint pen rating 8 to 8/9 out of 10, "Joe Sewell, Given to me by Ty Cobb in 1925." Intriguing offering as relates to a pair of the greatest batsman of all-time. Includes letter of provenance from the Sewell family and auction LOA from JSA: EXEstimated Price Range: ($75,000-$125,000)
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