can someone give me some insight on this bat please?
 

I had this bat in our garage for years. I was told it was my grandfather's and it was old. It is in really great shape, so I am a bit skeptical.

It is a louisville slugger model 40 E.C.. It also has a decal of Eddie Collins on the barrel. It has some wear, but no crack, a few chips and marks, and the original varnish still looks good.

Thanks for any help with the history/dating and advice on it.

TLFox1231
here are some pics

I'm going to let the bat experts comment on the lumber (except to say I think you're going to be happy), but I just had to say I love the dog under the table.

I hope you are right about me being happy with the bat. The dog is a character. I wonder what he is going to do when my wife delivers. She is due with Triplets.

He will still be hiding from the triplets :D

Nice bat. What you have is 1920's Eddie Collins Decal bat. Decal is in great shape considering its age and it was kept in the garage!

The value of the bat lies in the condition of the decal. I would not recommend cleaning the bat. If you want to preserve it, put some lemon oil on it and avoid the decal.

You can buy plastic bat tubes for $6. which would protect the bat from any further damage. I'd also move the bat into the house. Value is in the $1,000-1500 range.

Matt

Exceptional Eddie Collins decal bat from the teens/early 20s. Value would likely fall between $1,500 and $1,900 in a major auction. Yours is in excellent condition and the decal has very little loss particularly in his face. Very liquid with an abundance of buyers for a bat like this. Congrats!!!

I'm assuming it's at least 34"for this price level...the longer the better.

Here is one link for you to a past auction.
http://robertedwardauctions.com/auction/2004/629.html

thanks for the advice.

I am not going to touch it as far as trying to clean it up.

I am sorry to be a fool but where is the best place to get a case/bat tube?

it is 34.5 inches.

is it wise to get it appraised? If so, is there some one I should contact?

is there a market for this bat?
thanks

I don't see a need for an appraisal. You got one on this thread. Oh yes, there is a market for your bat.

You don't need an appraisal. If you would like to sell it, I would recommend a major auction house. Robert Edward Auctions will probably be the next major house to hold a sale and they perform very well for pieces like these as do Hunts and Legendary. I have sold bats with REA before and been very pleased with both price and service. Here are links to help you out.

http://www.robertedwardauctions.com/index.html
http://www.huntauctions.com/hunt.html
http://www.legendaryauctions.com/

Don't do a thing to your bat except put it in a tube and keep it in a climate controlled environment. Good luck:)