How to certify game used/game ready?

[71buc]

OK I’m a little confused. The Heritage description is for the bat in question or is that description of a different Clemente U-1? Nonetheless, it’s hard to tell based on the photos. The centerbrand dates to 1964 at the latest. There is no trademark after the R in Slugger and the "REG. U.S. PAT. OFF." is located outside the oval. That style of branding lasted until 1964. It changed in 1965. So it definitely not a late 60s bat. Clemente used light tar much of his career and applied it more heavily in the last few years of his career. The game used Clemente bats I’ve handled vary in the degree to the amount of tar. However, most seem to have at least a light bit of staining/discoloration on the handle. There is often handwritten weights on the knob. Occasionally you will find a series of grooves (scoring)he drew into the barrel in an attempt to cause back spin. It’s not unusual to see Clemente game used bats will very light use. The amount of use and possible bat rack marks on this bats barrel are tough to distinguish based on the photos.

I recently upgraded my Clemente bat and specifically looked for a bat with the attributes I described above. Although I hate to do it I’m paying John Taube PSA about a $1000 to authenticate and grade it at the National. I’m doing so for my insurance. I’d spend the money on the bat in this discussion if it were mine. The difference between a PSA authentic ungraded bat and a PSA 9-10 Clemente is thousands of dollars and well worth the investment in my humble opinion. If it’s “Game Ready” it’s worth 5-7K if it’s deemed a PSA 9-10 it could be 25K. Good luck!

[ooo-ribay]

Disclaimer : I’m not a fan of third party grading of anything.

To me, this looks like a Clemente bat he never used. If that’s the case, is it worth $1000 to get it authenticated? If you had strong suspicion of game used, then maybe it would be in so far as increasing its selling price. Would “certified” game ready add $1000 to the selling price vs. “uncertified”? I don’t know.

Mike - is red sharpie for his number consistent? Certain guys seemed to favor certain colors.

[Banjo]

Originally Posted by ooo-ribay

Disclaimer : I’m not a fan of third party grading of anything.

To me, this looks like a Clemente bat he never used. If that’s the case, is it worth $1000 to get it authenticated? If you had strong suspicion of game used, then maybe it would be in so far as increasing its selling price. Would “certified” game ready add $1000 to the selling price vs. “uncertified”? I don’t know.

Mike - is red sharpie for his number consistent? Certain guys seemed to favor certain colors.

I guess that's is the question of the hour for me. I am a middle man, selling this for a friend, but promised I would explore all avenues. I've dealt mostly with cards (mostly collecting for 40 years)... and not much experience with memorabilia.

I'm trying to determine potential value and if it merits authentication. I know the source, how it was acquired, and am very confident that it is a true Clemente bat. I've seen auctions and associated prices for game used. I've seen fewer for for game ready, and don't recall seeing any for unused.


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[Banjo]

Originally Posted by 71buc

OK I’m a little confused. The Heritage description is for the bat in question or is that description of a different Clemente U-1? Nonetheless, it’s hard to tell based on the photos. The centerbrand dates to 1964 at the latest. There is no trademark after the R in Slugger and the "REG. U.S. PAT. OFF." is located outside the oval. That style of branding lasted until 1964. It changed in 1965. So it definitely not a late 60s bat. Clemente used light tar much of his career and applied it more heavily in the last few years of his career. The game used Clemente bats I’ve handled vary in the degree to the amount of tar. However, most seem to have at least a light bit of staining/discoloration on the handle. There is often handwritten weights on the knob. Occasionally you will find a series of grooves (scoring)he drew into the barrel in an attempt to cause back spin. It’s not unusual to see Clemente game used bats will very light use. The amount of use and possible bat rack marks on this bats barrel are tough to distinguish based on the photos.

I recently upgraded my Clemente bat and specifically looked for a bat with the attributes I described above. Although I hate to do it I’m paying John Taube PSA about a $1000 to authenticate and grade it at the National. I’m doing so for my insurance. I’d spend the money on the bat in this discussion if it were mine. The difference between a PSA authentic ungraded bat and a PSA 9-10 Clemente is thousands of dollars and well worth the investment in my humble opinion. If it’s “Game Ready” it’s worth 5-7K if it’s deemed a PSA 9-10 it could be 25K. Good luck!

Very good insight... I can't thank you enough. Sorry for the confusion... i just grabbed a paragraph off the internet to describe standard Clemente bats. This bat is NOT the Heritage auction bat, but its dimensions are identical.


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[71buc]

Rob, yes I have seen Red Sharpie on his bats. Light use is not unusual he went through a lot of bats. Based on the photos I can’t tell how light use there is on this one if any. Even a PSA 0 sellls for 5-7K if it’s authenticated.

[Mark17]

I'd call the folks at Hunt Auctions and ask them to put it in an upcoming live auction, where you get the full hammer price. They can describe it accurately and get a good price for you. Clemente GU sells extremely well.

[rand1com]

I would get it authenticated by PSA/DNA no matter how it is sold.

A major auction house can probably get it authenticated quicker and for much less money than the fee you will have to pay which they will deduct from the proceeds.

May be able to get a zero seller consignment with some of the major houses especially if they think it will get an actual game used grade by PSA/DNA.

I certainly think it is authentic but probably will get game issued designation.

But, as previously stated, probably still $5K or more.

If it gets even a GU7 grade, multiples of that and each number up increases it by much more.