SCP Auctions November 19th, 2011 Auction

Hall of Fame legend J. Honus Wagner spent the early part of his career playing for the Louisville Colonels and become the first endorser of that city’s local bat manufacturer. This rare and important Honus Wagner game model Louisville Slugger bat measures 34.75 inches and weighs 41oz. This bat dates to Wagner’s final seasons as a player with the Pittsburgh Pirates and his transition into his career as a coach. Very few Wagner bats are known to exist that, either wholly or partially, can be attributed to his playing career. This 40K signature model bat features H&B’s patented Kork Grip and “dash-dot-dash” centerbrand. A patent date of 1914 on the barrel, in addition to photographic evidence and a comparison to like Wagner bats that have entered the hobby, MEARS confidently states that Honus Wagner did indeed use the 40K Kork Grip during the 1914-16 era. The bat exhibits signs of heavy game use. In an eight-inch area directly above the Honus Wagner facsimile barrel stampings are dozens of deeply embedded stitch marks. In this same area is evidence of grain separation, creating the beginning of the deadwood effect. Deadwood is a positive trait of game use, and is caused from repeated contact of bat to ball. In the area surrounding the facsimile barrel signature (not touching) were five indentations that have been professionally restored. There are some areas of light flaking on the cork grip handle, caused from heavy game use. The knob is worn, with a very slight chip from the outer rim. Cleat marks are also found scattered on several surfaces of the bat. Given the magnitude of Wagner’s stature among the greatest players in baseball history, and the extreme scarcity of documented Wagner professional model bats, this bat represents a unique opportunity to add a cornerstone piece to any significant bat collection. Includes a comprehensive LOA from MEARS (Graded A9).