[Archive]

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