Napoleon Lajoie 40K Cork Handled Bat at Auction December 28th

[OHAuctioneer]

I am an apprentice auctioneer in Ohio and came across this forum while researching a baseball bat that our firm recently discovered while preparing for a live auction. The auction will be taking place on Thursday, December 28th in Troy, Ohio, starting at 9:30 am.

The bat is a Louisville Slugger catalog number 40K with the "Kork Grip" handle bearing the facsimile signature of Napoleon Lajoie. Judging from the patent date and the barrel stamp, it dates to circa 1915. It measures 34" in length and weighs 39 ounces.

The bat is in remarkable condition, and the cork handle is nearly 100% present. There is a lacquer finish that may or may not have been original to the bat, but it appears to have been applied very early in the life of the bat. Some of this darker finish has been lightly scraped off the cork handle, which shows as light marks. The most glaring condition issue is that at some point, a hole was drilled in the handle end of the bat to accommodate a leather strap. This appears to have been an early modification, based on the condition of the leather.

I have posted several pictures (which I have attached here) on our company Facebook page, Jerry Stichter Auctioneer. The bat is listed in our AuctionZip ad, which you can link to here: https://goo.gl/7G3iuj

If you have any questions about the bat or the upcoming auction, I will be checking this forum as well as our Facebook page. You can also contact our company using the information provided in our AuctionZip listing.

[OHAuctioneer]

We will be setting up for Thursday's auction on Tuesday and Wednesday. I will be checking for messages here and on Facebook and will be happy to discuss any questions about the Lajoie bat or bidding procedures for the sale.

[RedsFan1941]

attended this auction this morning to take a look at the bat. sold,for $10,000 plus 7.5% sales tax. was surprised at that price but admittedly do not have much experience with bats. obviously at least 2 bidders were sure it was a player model bat. interesting to me was that after 2 phone bidders dropped out, both final bidders were in the room.

[OHAuctioneer]

I can confirm that the gavel price for the Naoleon Lajoie bat was $10,000. The buyer will remain anonymous, but I want to thank everyone on this forum who contacted us, especially those who participated in the auction. I also met at least one person at the live event who frequents this forum, and appreciate the information and knowledge he shared. It was obvious that everyone I spoke with shares a great passion for not only memorabilia, but for baseball history as well.

[yanks12025]

Pretty good deal, 10K to 136k. Unbelievable it sold for that much money.

[ruth-gehrig]

Where?

[yanks12025]

Originally Posted by ruth-gehrig

Where?

Goldin

[Scocs]

But “Napoleon” is spelled wrong on his own bat!!

[jboosted92]

Originally Posted by yanks12025

Pretty good deal, 10K to 136k. Unbelievable it sold for that much money.

Nuts, IMO

1. i studied and did a crap ton of research on 40-k bats years ago ( fairly confident more than anyone else)

2. While length is always "up for debate", his file card was 35.5, not saying this isnt decent bat, but John has graded 40k "without GUx" numbers and those bats sell way less...why did this one deserver a "8".

Seems like a dangerous precedence , where PSA/DNA contradicts their own grading structure sometimes....

congrats to the seller, thats for sure...

[eastonfalcon19]

Is there a link to the auction? Or is this their current auction?

[jboosted92]

http://sports.mearsonlineauctions.co...lot114747.aspx

[jboosted92]

http://www.milehighcardco.com/mobile...kork_grip_loui

See the predicament