Anyone here get the Banana Bat?
 

Just curious if a Board Member got this....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Very-Rare-An...c#ht_90wt_1178

Seller didn't seem very flexible, and wanted significantly more than the recent example from REA (which was in superior condition, and with impeccable provenance from Billy Sullivan).

As a result, I was a bit surprised to see it sell. Still an incrediby rare and intriguing bat. Tuly a centerpiece to any collection. :D

I too have followed the sale of the banana bat with interest. It started with a buy it now of 10K and wound up selling for 6.4K. What an addition to anyone's collection it would make.

John

$5800...I'm not the buyer.

Banana bat
 

I got the bat. I made the same REA argument. He negotiated with me some.
I didn't pick up much at the National so as a result made the deal.
I think the REA example had a crack. This one has good vintage patina. I didn't bid the one in REA. I bet if I bid in REA it would have went higher. So thats how I justified the price in my mind.
John

Wow!! Heck of a first post for being on here 4 years, John!! Congrats, she's a beauty!

John:

Congrats on obtaining this magnificent bat! Your rationale is sound, and in all fairness, the REA example could/should have gone for lots more... especially if you had entered into the bidding.

I was under-bidder on that one, and am still haunted by not going after it more aggressively. I think you did well to get this seller down to $5,800. He was not flexible with regard to any of my offers.

The money can be re-made... the Bat can't. I'm guessing that maybe 5 - 10 of these still exist? :confused:

Wonderful acquisition!

That's a magnificent bat and would certainly be the centerpiece of my collection. Congrats on getting it.

John

We have all had similar experiences with auctions. When you want something and bid, it always seems to go for double retail.
I know the collector that got the REA Banana Bat. He was shocked at how low it went. I think highly of him as a collector and historian. He has impeccable research skills. He advised me on the purchase. That is another reason why I made an offer.
I have always appreciated the book "A Century Of Baseball Inventions Banana Bats and Ding-Dong Balls" by Gutman. I am very happy to own the bat in any condition.
Anyone have a Ding-Dong ball they want to sell?
What about a Dead Red ball? Seamless ball? How about a double seam Spalding ball?
It can't hurt to ask...
John