December pick up
So this is a sort of "mystery" mini baseball bat....Its markings date it to somewhere between 1894-1901. (confirmed by the historian at the Louisville Slugger bat factory). It is 14 inches in length. High quality wood....been in a private collection since 1988. It has an early ink transfer to the center label instead of engraving. "Bud" Hillerich (SON) joined the company in 1897. The company moved away from 216 First St. to a new location on Finzer St. in 1901. I have never seen a bat similar to this produced by the Hillerich and Bradsby Company. Don't think it is a souvenir bat. My guess is perhaps a salesman sample which was taken around to sporting good stores to encourage future sales. Any other ideas/comments are welcome here. Thanks.
|