19th Century Bats

[GaryPassamonte]

Since the game used bats thread is going so well, I thought I'd start another bat thread showing bats from my favorite era, the 19th century. Here's a tiger maple bat acquired from a fellow board member a few years ago.

[eastonfalcon19]

Beautiful bat Gary. Can’t wait to see more 19th century bats.

[aelefson]

Gret topic and good timing as I just pulled these out of my closet. Gary, great bat! How long is it? Here are my favorites. The first is a ring bat, 37 inches long with League in the center. The second is 41.5 inches long and has a knob that matches another large bat with an 1865 patent date so I believe this is my oldest bat. I found the first in an old collector's home and the second at an antique store. The last picture shows the two bats next to a 35 inch store model bat.

Alan

[perezfan]

Fantastic stuff guys!

Here are a few of mine...

Top Bat is probably my eariest, circa 1870s

5th one down is an ornate Ball Knob Bat

4th from the bottom is my version of a Tiger-striped Bat

2nd from the bottom is a rare Spalding Zebra Stripe Bat

Very bottom is a super rare 37" Spalding Ring Bat made of Willow


The last photo just shows greater close-up detail of the Spalding Zebra Stripe and Willow Ring Bats.

[GaryPassamonte]

35", Alan. Great bats so far. Keep them coming.

[JoeDfan]

Oh, those are all so gorgeous!

[Yanks23]

Store front / folk art-esque...

[Rob L]

Originally Posted by GaryPassamonte

Since the game used bats thread is going so well, I thought I'd start another bat thread showing bats from my favorite era, the 19th century. Here's a tiger maple bat acquired from a fellow board member a few years ago.

Here’s a few of mine.

[GaryPassamonte]

Mark-Does willow generally have the blotchy pattern on your Spalding bat? I can identify ash, but after that it gets more difficult. Spalding even advertise a cherry wood bat. I don't think I've ever seen one.

[perezfan]

Originally Posted by GaryPassamonte

Mark-Does willow generally have the blotchy pattern on your Spalding bat? I can identify ash, but after that it gets more difficult. Spalding even advertise a cherry wood bat. I don't think I've ever seen one.

Yes Willow often has that blotchy looking surface. It's also rather soft to the touch, and is noticeable lighter than ash or hickory.

It would be cool to see a Cherry Wood Spalding, as I don't think I've ever seen one of these. If anyone knows about them (or has a shot at owning one), perhaps it's Jeff Mann. But I'm not sure if Jeff frequents this forum. Maybe Matt Hart or JPOP can chime in, as they might have knowledge of one.

[GaryPassamonte]

Mark et al- Here is a bat that should arrive tomorrow thanks to a board member. It is a Spalding No. 3 and is made from basswood, which is even lighter than willow. It is 34" long and weighs 26 ozs. and is made from "polished" basswood, as described in 1879 and 1885 Spalding catalogs.

[perezfan]

Well that's about as nice as they come. I can't imagine a more pristine centerbrand than that ancient Basswood Spalding has.

Is there any restoration, or is it actually all-original? Just beautiful!

[bgar3]

Love the bats everyone. I have 19th century stuff, but alas, no bats.
Jonathan, I would still love to acquire one of your Brooklyn presentation bats.
Trade?

[bgar3]

Most of the players in this photo played in the game in which Harvard led the 1870 Red Stockings by by 5 runs with 2 outs in the nineth
, but lost. This would have been their first loss ever at home. I also like that it has Archie Bush in it, as Cummings threw the first curve ball in a game against him. I love this thread, but have no actual bat, never trusting myself to get a real one. Anyway, hope you enjoy seeing an early bat bag.

[jpop43]

Thanks for the kind words and interest in the bats, Carlton...like everyone else, not much to the discoveries other than many years, lots of leg work, and money that wasn't easy to part with!

The Eagle Prize bat was acquired via trade, and the P&S ring bat was an ebay purchase. Soon as it hit the block we apparently made the right offer.

I too love looking at period images and seeing if equipment in the collection matches up...these days (unfortunately), its become quite a pastime.

Jonathan
www.dugouttreasures.com

[pedodds]

1. Banana
2. Ball Balanced
3. Burnt Striped Spalding Mushroom
4. Crown Standard Tiger Maple
5. Fancy Stripe League Bat
6. L.C. Dole & Co.
7. League Club
8. W&D Fungo
9. 1870's Black Walnut
10. Leather grip handle with folk art star
11. Wagon Tongue Double "Strike This Way of Grain"
12. Fancy Grip Spalding Wagon Tongue
13. Fancy The Spalding
14. Town Bat

[perezfan]

Great stuff... Love 'em all (especially the Banana!)

[GaryPassamonte]

So many great bats!

[CarltonHendricks]

What an ensemble john…congrats on a great collection…

[pedodds]

Thanks Carlton,

Nothing in comparison to your collections. You guys are the masters!

Originally Posted by CarltonHendricks

What an ensemble john…congrats on a great collection…

[pedodds]

[pedodds]

Originally Posted by pedodds

1. Banana
2. Ball Balanced
3. Burnt Striped Spalding Mushroom
4. Crown Standard Tiger Maple
5. Fancy Stripe League Bat
6. L.C. Dole & Co.
7. League Club
8. W&D Fungo
9. 1870's Black Walnut
10. Leather grip handle with folk art star
11. Wagon Tongue Double "Strike This Way of Grain"
12. Fancy Grip Spalding Wagon Tongue
13. Fancy The Spalding
14. Town Bat

[pedodds]

This is a Lignum Vitae trophy bat presented to George Ellard of the Cincinnati Red Stockings for most clean home runs hit in The Grand Tournament of 1867. G. Ellard was one of the founders of the Red Stockings. The bat is 32 inches long and 40 ounces.

[perezfan]

Just jaw-dropping....

I know this is a Bat thread... but simply must acknowledge some of those other insanely rare gems like the fingerless and tipped-finger gloves, pillbox cap, boater style cap, bead-weld mask, Testi Catcher, Lemon Peel and Trophy Balls, and inflatable chest protector (just for a start!)

As a Reds fan, I'm also drooling over the Pennant ensemble. I was the under-bidder many years ago... in an early Mastro Auction if I recall.

Lastly... is that Ted Klu Jersey an actual Gamer? Wow!

[pedodds]

Mark,

I have enjoyed your collection and Gary's and of course my good friend Carlton's for many years. That's why I call you guys the masters. That's very nice of you to say. I hope we can visit some day soon!

Originally Posted by perezfan

Just jaw-dropping....

I know this is a Bat thread... but simply must acknowledge some of those other insanely rare gems like the fingerless and tipped-finger gloves, pillbox cap, boater style cap, bead-weld mask, Testi Catcher, Lemon Peel and Trophy Balls, and inflatable chest protector (just for a start!)

As a Reds fan, I'm also drooling over the Pennant ensemble. I was the under-bidder many years ago... in an early Mastro Auction if I recall.

Lastly... is that Ted Klu Jersey an actual Gamer? Wow!

[GaryPassamonte]

Unbelievable collection! I've seen the image of the black catcher before. That is one of the best baseball images that exists in my opinion. It is riveting.

[pedodds]

Gary,
That's Javan Emory. He was an amazing African American ball player. Paul R can give you the story the next time the two of you speak. He is the expert on Javan. That image came off of a glass plate negative. It's museum quality. It's very impressive in person. Please get my number from Paul or Carlton. I'd would be honored to speak with you some time.

Originally Posted by GaryPassamonte

Unbelievable collection! I've seen the image of the black catcher before. That is one of the best baseball images that exists in my opinion. It is riveting.

[perezfan]

Thank you John!

One more question...

Is the Catcher statue a depiction of Buck Ewing? It sure resembles him, and I believe it originally appeared on a gorgeous and ornate 19th century clock. The clock is pictured below, as taken from Carlton's website (of course...)

I have the other figural statue (left of the clock), which I believe is a depiction of John M. Ward. Stunning antique artifacts!

[pedodds]

Yeah...it came out of the Hapler sale. I could only afford a piece of the clock.

Originally Posted by perezfan

Thank you John!

One more question...

Is the Catcher statue a depiction of Buck Ewing? It sure resembles him, and I believe it originally appeared on a gorgeous and ornate 19th century clock. The clock is pictured below, as taken from Carlton's website (of course...)

I have the other figural statue (left of the clock), which I believe is a depiction of John M. Ward. Stunning antique artifacts!

[perezfan]

Well, it's definitely the best portion, FWIW

[khkco4bls]

Originally Posted by pedodds

Yeah...it came out of the Hapler sale. I could only afford a piece of the clock.

The catcher statue right side in the back if that's the one you're talking about was done by P. Testi in 1910 also did the batter and also the pitcher. I have the original batter from 1910 which is in pristine condition. unfortunately for some reason I can't seem to upload my pictures

[pedodds]

I have found a reference of this twine grip bat as early as 1868 in Peck and Snyder.
The name Searle's is as plain as day in person. I can't seem to pick it up on my cheap camera!

[pedodds]

A couple more Spalding bats

[eastonfalcon19]

Wow!! unbelievable collection...I know this is a bat thread but can we see more of your collection lol?

[pedodds]

Ron,
I've put enough enough of my junk up on this thread. I do not want to monopolize it.
If you are ever in Cincinnati I'll be happy to show you my stuff and also show you some of my friends collections. There are some awesome collections in the Tri-State area. There is a great deal of baseball, football and basketball history to draw from around here.

Originally Posted by eastonfalcon19

Wow!! unbelievable collection...I know this is a bat thread but can we see more of your collection lol?

[BaseballChuck]

Originally Posted by GaryPassamonte

Since the game used bats thread is going so well, I thought I'd start another bat thread showing bats from my favorite era, the 19th century. Here's a tiger maple bat acquired from a fellow board member a few years ago.

Absolutely gorgeous!

[perezfan]

Originally Posted by GaryPassamonte

Since the game used bats thread is going so well, I thought I'd start another bat thread showing bats from my favorite era, the 19th century. Here's a tiger maple bat acquired from a fellow board member a few years ago.

Revisiting this great thread...

Gary, that Tiger Maple Bat is just stunning. The shaping of the bat and its marble-like patina are nothing short of gorgeous.

[GaryPassamonte]

Thanks, Mark.

Here's one bat I'd appreciate any feedback on. It has an interesting ribbed handle and is 34" long. I'm not sure of the weight, but it is quite heavy. 19th century or not?

[Bill Rayburn]

Gary, you sure can come up with some unique bats. I certainly don't have a definitive answer for you but I will hazard a guess of late 1800's or very early 1900's. The rounded barrel end, taper and size of the knob would all indicate that time span. Beautiful graining and good lathe skills on the handle. Nice bat.