This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/1/2010
In 1984, long before player signing sessions were in vogue, two enterprising New York show promoters with impressive foresight, persuaded Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris to sign a very limited number of special baseball bats. The Hillerich & Bradsby "double signature model" bats, which were produced solely for this signing, featured "Mickey Mantle -54 Home Runs-1961" emblazoned on one side of the barrel and "Roger Maris -61 Home Runs- 1961" on the other side. They were then autographed in blue marker by each of the "M&M" boys-just one year prior to Maris' death. The bat offered here is number "54/115" making it one of the more significant numbers in the edition in that it coincides with Mantle’s 1961 home run total. Due to their limited production, only a small number of the 115 in existence have surfaced and speculation is that all 115 were never signed by both men because of Maris' failing health. It is widely believed that only a few dozen were ever fully signed. This example previously sold in our SCP/Sotheby's auction in 2006 for $8,400. Another example from this same edition sold at auction last year for over $13,000. In spite of a few nicks and scratches, it is in excellent condition. Includes full LOA from PSA/DNA.