Wagner and Jackson mini decal bats

[pencil1974]

Thanks Bobby. Sorry I didn't get a chance to get back on and get the other photos up. I actually took them but just have had zero time with my kids pulling one way and the wife pulling another. I appreciated all the info you gave and all the opinions either good or bad. They help for sure.

Thanks so much!

[minibatsman]

Originally Posted by pencil1974

Thanks Bobby. Sorry I didn't get a chance to get back on and get the other photos up. I actually took them but just have had zero time with my kids pulling one way and the wife pulling another. I appreciated all the info you gave and all the opinions either good or bad. They help for sure.

Thanks so much!

please understand this is my opinion. I do not have mini bat certificate hanging on the wall. I have had other discussion's and have made comments about these bats that were wrong. this is why I asked you to bring the bat up for open discussion.
this series of seven decals was purchased by H&S after the world series in 1914. H&S bats are 1915 your decal was applied by H&B in 1916.

[autograf]

I like both of them. I've had maybe a dozen or two mini or full-size decals in my life and and yours are very very nice. Like Bobby said both are high quality. Is the center brand on the 22" Wagner really really light or is it a stamp? I've seen some that were stamped but most are branded. I think the branded ones are more desirable than the stamps. Unfortunately, I sold my last batch of 7-8 in an REA auction in 2002-3 or so. The Joe Jackson is beautiful and like Bobby said, they are rarely found in nice shape. I would auction them somewhere to maximize the return. I've seen similar ones in Hunt bring $1-$2K+ depending on who gets in on the bidding. Hunts Louisville Slugger auction in mid-November typically has a few in it. Good luck with them.

[perezfan]

Great Bats!

But why do I see Hopper from "A Bugs Life" every time I look at the blacklight photo? It's really creeping me out!

[MGHPro]

Wagner is no earlier than 1920. And I still have concerns about the decal
Matt

[cliftons8]

I have a 12" Burnished Finish mini with a Burnished Finish decal that I think could very well be a Salesman Sample. I have to think that Salesman Sample bats came in different lengths depending on the year and the bat they advertised.
Mike

[minibatsman]

Originally Posted by cliftons8

I have a 12" Burnished Finish mini with a Burnished Finish decal that I think could very well be a Salesman Sample. I have to think that Salesman Sample bats came in different lengths depending on the year and the bat they advertised.
Mike

As I said I have no doubt a salesman could have carried one. I would believe they would carry as many items as they could to make a sale. we discussed this on this site a year ago. the blue burnished decal bat is one of the seven decals purchased by H&S from P&F after the 1914 world series. we no this from the Gowdy decal. there are catalogs from 1914/15 and 16 that offer mini decal bats for sale. for a couple bucks you could get a dozen. in 1915/16 the Burnished with the other decals we are discussing could be bought from a catalog.
A salesman sample they made stoves, ice boxes you name a item they made them. but they weren't offered for sale in catalog's.
Auction houses have listed these bats as salesman samples for years. my opinion they are wrong.
we can prove a 12 inch stove is a sample. we cant prove your bat is?. it could be. start a discussion.
I agree mini bats come in many sizes. I base my opinion on the size of samples by the majority of blank barrel bats I have seen.
H&S and H&B made full size bats. these mini bats came from the left over material of the 48 inch billets?. I think. prior to 1929?.
after the 30s these bats became common.no brand companies tried making just mini bats. 30s world series bats. cheep wood available daily on ebay
In the 40s H&B turned these mini,s into a business by themselves. they would mail your favorite player to your house.
I have spent years trying to date and figure these bats out. sometimes I am asked to give my opinion. right or wrong I have one.
can you post a photo of the bat?.

[minibatsman]

Originally Posted by minibatsman

please understand this is my opinion. I do not have mini bat certificate hanging on the wall. I have had other discussion's and have made comments about these bats that were wrong. this is why I asked you to bring the bat up for open discussion.
this series of seven decals was purchased by H&S after the world series in 1914. H&S bats are 1915 your decal was applied by H&B in 1916.

This is my opinion about the Wagner bat
The Wagner decal has a white line to the bottom left. this isn't correct.

This will be controversial auction houses continuously call decal bats salesman samples. they are wrong. these bats could be bought from a catalog in 1914.
I am still researching 1916 to 1929 so I wont comment on these years.
from 1930 to 48 . you could get one with 15 to 35 cents worth of stamps. guess they needed stamps?. to mail these bats?.
this changed around 1948 when H&B actually wanted 35 cents.

I believe this Wagner bat is a salesman sample. that found a decal. if and I say if. the Wagner decal is a 1915 decal. I am not convinced. the bat just doesn't look right to me?.

Early salesman samples are 14 inches and would have a model number like 125 in center brand with no players name on it.
Latter samples are 22 inches and have no reference to any model. and are on lower grade wood.


I don't doubt a salesman could have carried one. I have seen some so called pouches that auction houses claimed belonged to a salesman. the pouch didn't fit the bat.

At first I didn't like the Jackson bat. the owner changed my opinion. I believe the Wagner deserves the same chance. please discuss this.