Auction Item Details
Lot 231
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Lot Number: 231
Description: Rare c.1930s Luke Appling professional model baseball bat (side written Ben Chapman). Louisville Slugger 125 model bat with "Appling" block lettered into the barrel measures 34.5" long and weighs 34oz. Strong usage wear evident throughout with a handle crack. The bat is side written in grease pencil, "34oz. Ben Chapman 5-29-39" indicating return to the factory to be used as a model for future orders. Accordingly, it was then vault marked "C10" on either end. Although they would not play on the same team until the 1941 White Sox season, Appling and Chapman had crossed paths before when both represented the American League at the 1936 All-Star Game. It was likely at this point, or another meeting, that Chapman secured one of Appling's bats and took such a liking to the model that he asked it be used as the template for his future orders. A notably rare bat with Appling pro model examples seldom offered. Includes LOA from Hunt Auctions: EXEstimated Price Range: ($4,000-$6,000)
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