Yes...apparently there is a 5 under the logo...indicating a less expensive bat from the time period. Seeing as in 1910 the manufacturer did not really differentiate professional vs non professional bats...and the quality of the wood is comparable to more expensive bats...I do not believe this to be a smoking gun proving this is not a jennings used bat. This combined with Steve's observation that the manufacturer did not advertise "endorsed" bats with players names which would have been beneficial to their sales figures...I think it is possible that this bat could have been used by jennings.
The only way this could be proven would be to find photo/image of hughie holding similar bat...which is unlikely.
Here's steve's last response to me:
Hello Pete,
The problem is there are no factory records to connect any player to the
bat. The MEARS letter of opinion in the Goledinauctions.com Keeler bat
auction basically states that it is "plausible" that the practice during
this era used by H&B to add a players name to the knob in block letters
"could have" been transferred to Pontiac, a subsidiary company, and that
"might" explain the name Keeler on the knob. (key words here "plausible"
"Could have" "might")
MEARS goes on to state; "The players name on the knob of the bat serves
as a payer identification but due to the 'lack of supporting
documentation,' we cannot designate the bat as professional only, and may
have been available as a retail model."
"plausible" "could have" "might" "Lack of supporting documentation" is a
way of saying we really don't know but in order to charge you money for
our opinion we use these words.
Personally my opinion (at no charge) is that the bats were not available
in the retail market with the players name on the knob. If it were
available they would have used it in the retail advertising. I have a
couple of hardware store catalog ad. The 1912 has no mention of players.
The 1915 ad vaguely states "endorsed by leading professional players" no
listing of player's names.
The next page lists Louisville Slugger bats with player's names listed,
and a player endorsed decal on the barrel. Using this it is my opinion
that the name on the knob was not available in the retail market. It
would have been a great selling point, and it's not mentioned.
I believe you have a professional model, but without strong provenance,
or factory records, that do not exist, you will only have a professional
model. If you had the bat evaluated by MEARS or PSA, they could only
render an opinion using words such as "plausible" "might" and then charge
you money.
If it is evaluated, in their opinion a pro bat, and it is "plausible"
that Jennings "might" have used the bat based on the player use
specifications of professional bats order through H&B, then you added
value to the bat, but without strong provenance, it's still based on
speculation. If you don't plan on selling the bat you spent money to have
someone tell you that it's possible that Jennings might have used it. No
closer in fact, that it was before you spent the money.
Just a no profit opinion. (and I think my opinion "might" be "plausible")
:-) -Steven
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