Help with bats.

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Posted By: Steven Finley

Has anyone ever come across these bats. I.E. When were they made and how much they might be worth? Any help before I purchase them would be much appreciated.



Also, does anyone now the best way to tell the difference between original decals and repos? Thanks.



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Posted By: Mark

This is a great question... the reproduction decal bats are circulating out there (and have been for some time). I have never seen a repro close-up or even in person, but I feel the 3 best give-aways are as follows...

1. Depth of color is far greater in the originals. The repro decals have more stark, flat colors. The richness is not there, and they just don't have a vintage look.

2. The Bat itself is often a dead giveaway. Often, the repro Decals reside on a generic or unlabeled bat. Perhaps Mike H, Matt, and other vintage Bat experts on this forum can address the correct H & B period labeling to look for, in greater detail.

3. Natural Wear and tear... in most cases, the authentic decal will exhibit a greater level of wear, chipping, flaking, fading, etc. than the reproductions.

Like so many other areas of collecting, it is just a matter of experience and becoming familiar with what the authentic examples should look like. There is a seller on Ebay who has been selling reproduction decal bats for quite some time... Cobb, Sisler, LaJoie, Wagner, Collins, Joe Jackson, etc. But he is honest, practices full disclosure, and has never tried to deceive anyone into thinking his reproductions are real. Perhaps if you contact him directly, he can shed additional light on how to spot the new/fake decals. Ebay links are attached below...


http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-baseball-bat-Eddie-Collins-replica-decal_W0QQitemZ110329093248QQcmdZViewItemQQptZVint age_Sports_Memorabilia?hash=item110329093248&_trks id=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A570%7C66%3A2%7C65%3 A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C29 4%3A50

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-baseball-bat-Harry-Gowdy-replica-decal_W0QQitemZ110329094037QQcmdZViewItemQQptZVint age_Sports_Memorabilia?hash=item110329094037&_trks id=p3911.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A570%7C66%3A2%7C65%3 A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

http://cgi.ebay.com/EDDIE-COLLINS-As-Mini-1920s-REPRO-DECAL-Baseball-Bat_W0QQitemZ310087341945QQcmdZViewItemQQptZVintag e_Sports_Memorabilia?_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116

http://cgi.ebay.com/EDDIE-COLLINS-22-Louisville-Slugger-Decal-bat_W0QQitemZ270211492847QQcmdZViewItemQQptZVintag e_Sports_Memorabilia?_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116

[Archive]

Posted By: Matt Hart

Mark pretty much hit head on how to tell if they are authentic. From what can be seen, I would say, I'm 99% certain that they are reproductions. The grain on the wood is all wrong for a Mini Bat from that era. I'm guessing that they are probably 22 inch bats, probably without a center label. If there is a center label, please post a picture. If I'm wrong, they are great bats!

This was an authentic one that I owned. It might give you a better idea of what to look for.

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If you can take any other pictures, I can help more.
Thanks
Matt

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Posted By: Steven Finley

No other pictures available at the moment. For the shear number of bats the guy says he owns I'm 95% sure they are not period. I plan to go look at them sometime soon. After researching I discovered most period bats contain the engravings on the knob while the repos do not. I also know that the Cobb Bat is 24 inches if that helps any.

[Archive]

Posted By: Matt Hart

Steve,
The mini bats would not have anything engraved on their knobs. H&B made 12, 14, 16 and 22 inch mini bats that I know of. I personally have never heard of one that is 24 inches. I'd be real cautious if you think about purchasing them. The center brand should be similar to the one pictured, except the number might be a 40, not a 25.
Good luck,
Matt

[Archive]

Posted By: Steven Finley

Just got back from looking at the bats. They are reproductions. The man had a very nice vintage card collection but the bats were easily distinguished as not being period. He never actually claimed the bats to be period so he wasn't trying to pass them off as something they're not or anything like that. Thanks for everyone's help.