Bat Banks: Does anybody else collect these?

[Chris Counts]

I recently came across a vintage plastic bat bank for the first time, and I couldn't resist adding it to my completely unfocused collection. The ones from the 1960s and beyond with plastic bats are quite easy to find, but the ones from the 1950s with wood bats seem to be much tougher. They were made by a company called Van Dine, which I believe was located in New Jersey. The earliest example I can find is a Baltimore Orioles bank from 1955. All the others I've seen are either all AL teams, all NL teams or "famous sluggers," which seem to be the highest in demand.

Does anybody else collect these or have some information to add?

[ooo-ribay]

I don't have any but I've always liked them. Does the "Famous Sluggers" have player name bats i.e Mantle, Mays, Aaron, etc.?

[Chris Counts]

Yes it does. And the bats have the Hillerich & Bradsby stamp on each of them. It makes me wonder if the bat company was involved in some way with the production of these.

[ooo-ribay]

Originally Posted by Chris Counts

Yes it does. And the bats have the Hillerich & Bradsby stamp on each of them. It makes me wonder if the bat company was involved in some way with the production of these.

You would certainly think so...just like the pen and pencil sets you see in wood and, later, plastic.

[Joe Hunter]

Here is mine. Similar to yours, Chris, but with a blue interior. This one is from the 1950’s with the eight American League teams plus an American League bat and a Hall Of Fame bat. Unfortunately, mine is missing the Yankees bat and I have not been able to find a replacement.

[stone193]

Wood bat banks are really cool Chris.

I collect baseball shaped banks that were mostly premiums from banks around the country.

I do have a couple of 60s plastic bat banks - what attracted me to them was the condition and the fact that they came in their original sleeve and box.

Note - I've got one team and one player bat bank - and the "Mick" is right there!





The player bank has Mantle, Aaron, Bench, Clemente, Yaz, Frank Robinson, Rose... as top names.

[ooo-ribay]

Originally Posted by Chris Counts

Yes it does. And the bats have the Hillerich & Bradsby stamp on each of them. It makes me wonder if the bat company was involved in some way with the production of these.

From the H&B 1963 Famous Slugger Yearbook. I'm tempted to send them a dollar.

[Chris Counts]

This beauty sold this morning on eBay ...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-Vintag...orig_cvip=true

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by Chris Counts

This beauty sold this morning on eBay ...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-Vintag...orig_cvip=true

Those ones with the wood bats are super cool. I have always wanted to get a center stand and then get the player/team bats i want to fill it up. Would cost way too much and then I would have a bunch of ruined complete sets so I have never even started that collection.