This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/11/2013
This may well be one of the nicest prewar team-signed professional player model bats you will ever encounter, an absolute beauty of a 35-inch, 34-oz. Hillerich & Bradsby Mel Ott bat in immaculate condition and boasting blazing signatures that are neatly apportioned above and below Ott’s facsimile signature on the barrel. This important artifact dates to the year the high-stepping Giants slugger made the 500 Home Run Club a trio, the last complete season posted by the Hall of Fame outfielder. The signature model Hillerich & Bradsby's labeling actually dates the lumber to the 1939-43 era, but somehow the game ready bat was spared the trauma of duty in the hands of the Manhattan long ball artist, instead lying in wait before being passed around the Giants dugout during the closing days of the Second World War. Ott himself is most prominent among the extraordinarily bold black fountain pen signatures that adorn the barrel, joined by fellow future Hall of Famer Ernie Lombardi and notables Nap Reyes, Adolfo Luque, Van Mungo, Bill Jurges, Phil Weintraub, Buddy Kerr, Johnny Rucker, Bill Voiselle and more. None of the 27 signatures dips below 9/10 in strength. The bat is crafted from blonde ash and measures 35 inches, perfectly matching Ott's factory ordering records for the period.
Includes a LOA from John Taube of PSA/DNA (GU5) and a separate full PSA/DNA LOA authenticating the signatures.
This lot has a Reserve Price that has not been met.