Auction Item Details
Lot 238
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Lot Number: 238
Description: Fine Babe Ruth professional model baseball bat with provenance to the Hanna Bat Company c.1928-31. Louisville Slugger 125 model bat measures 35 _+ long and weighs 35.6 ounces showing evident use including ball marks and stitching impressions. There is a period numeral -5+ stamped on the knob end which was in reference to the model number assigned to Ruth by the Hanna Bat Co. The offered bat possesses a wonderful history linked to one of Babe Ruth+s personal visits to the Athens, GA factory of the Hanna Manufacturing Co. Hanna began in 1911 with the manufacture of farm tools and various other implements which expanded into children+s toys and eventually baseball bats during the 1920s. Along with other Major League players such as Luke Appling and GA resident Johnny Mize, Babe Ruth visited the Hanna factory with interest in having them produce a professional model bat for his use. This interest from Major League players sparked a marked response from the Hillerich & Bradsby Co. who were the primary manufacturer of professional model bats. This was clearly evident in the 1933 lawsuit between the two companies citing testimony from Lou Gehrig who also experimented with Hanna model bats. Upon one such visit to the Hanna factory Babe Ruth presented the offered bat to Mell Bond who was the foreman of the plant. Ruth remarked to Mr. Bond, -Make me some bats like this one.+ Bond, of course, obliged utilizing the offered Louisville Slugger bat as a model for the Babe Ruth Hanna -Batrite+ professional model bat as evidenced by the has markings found in pencil throughout the bat. These markings are commonly seen on similar bats of the period and were utilized in the process of replication for new production bats. The bat has descended within the family of Mell Bond and until its recent discovery has not been previously displayed nor offered to the public. Professional model game bats with direct lineage to their original receipt from Babe Ruth are exceedingly rare with special note to its corroborated history to the Hanna Manufacturing Company. Superb period Ruth game bat with extensive provenance. Includes LOA from PSA/DNA (Graded GU 7.5) , LOA from Hunt Auctions, and letter of provenance from the Bond family: EXEstimated Price Range: ($50,000-$100,000)
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