Posted By:
jay behrensDan Baretta, Lee and I just got back from the dog and Pony show. The Lipezaners were fabulous as usual, but the English Sheep Hounds shed all over the place.
Seriously, this was a very informative and worthwhile trip. The presentation, if you want to call it that, started with Dave Bushing giving a detailed walk thru on how the bat was authenticated and whole story behind it. This is a basic timeline of the trasaction:
Patricia Henrich, Tommy's daughter contacts Bushing about some bats she has found in the attic of her Mother's house.
Nothing special is noted about the DiMaggio bat. All bats are purchased and rbought to the Ft Washington show for a quick flip to buyer.
The buyer is told that the DiMaggio isn't right because of the ball markings all over the bat. The buyer demands a refund and Bushing gives it.
This leads to further research by Bushing to try and prove that the bat is an actually gamer.
Further research shows that it is one of 22 bats with these particular markings, inlcuding a shipment of bats that cover The Streak.
Henrich is interviewed about the bat and says that DiMaggio gave him the bat after the streak ended.
Henrich got married in August of 1941 and left this and the other bats at his mother's house.
If this is the case, the order from 7-1-41 is the first order of 6 bats with all the markings of this bat. The other 16 bats with these marking were ordered after August 1941.
An H&B exec (forget his name at the moment, left my notes at Lee's) claims he was independently by DiMaggio and Henrich that Henrich was given a Streak bat Joe.
I am forgetting some other details and will add them when I get my notes, so be sure to check back for more details.
If the original buyer of this bat had not backed out of the deal, this would be just another DiMaggio gamer. Because he had doubts and forced Bushing to do further research into the authenticity of the bat, it was discovered to be more than just gamer, but very possibly a Streak bat.
Would I give and A10 grade as they did? No. But the evidence is very strong that it is and all parties involved are more than willing back the item with a full money back refund of it is proven to be other than described in the LOA. SCDA has also said they are more than will to show anyone else that wans to see what see saw today at any show they set up at if you give them advanced notice so they can bring the appropriate material.
Bushing also touched on some other areas, such as the Seaver glove, which had an addendum addded to the auction description prior to the start of the auction. As to Ichiro bat, Bushing said this came from agent of Ichiro and apprently were mislead about the bat.
After the walk thru how they autheticated the bat other assorted topics, we went to lunch and then came back and got tour of the Mastro offices.
Jaw dropping is an understatement to describe the items that were there. Various items that were in plain view was PSA 8 33 Goudey Bengough, several high grade Plows Candy cards, a stunning pennant picturing Frank Chance with New York, a Ohio Buckeyes pennant and my personal favorite, an Allen & Ginter wall poster for the N2 Indian Chief sets. I am so envious that Kieth O'Leary already owns this item. It's simpley stunning. There was also a huge bobble head collection being catalogue along with a complete set of Hartland statues with boxes and tags.
This trip was very worthwhile and gave us some great insight as to what is involved in the authetication process for SCDA. I give them major props for being proactive about this situation and wanting to try and do what is best for everyone. Every dealer should be like this.
As mentioned before, once I get me notes back, I'll add more and I am sure Dan will fill in anything I left out.
Jay
I've just reached Upper Lower Class. I am now officially a babe magnet for poor chicks.