1910 - 1915 decals

[slidekellyslide]

I was wrong...these are not "mini bats" but rather "Junior" bats which they don't give a size for.

[slidekellyslide]

Here is the page of other full size decal bats for those that might be interested in seeing better pics. btw this catalog is dated 1915.

[mzm55]

I was going through some of my files and found an appropriate advertisement to add to this thread from April 1913. This advertisement showcases these miniature bats, but I am not sure of their exact size. While miniature decal Louisville Slugger bats may have been sold at stadiums, this advertisement proves that they were marketed in retail stores just like normal, full-sized bats.



Also, in regard to the miniature Hank Gowdy bat, Louisville Slugger announced that they would honor Gowdy with a baseball bat in October 1914 following his great World Series performance. Moving swiftly while World Series fever was still out, Bud Hillerich actually called Gowdy at his hotel to get his signature that would in turn be used for the creation of the bat. I cannot say with confidence that the aforementioned bat was a miniature bat, but believe it to be connected with the miniature bat in the other thread.

Best,

Zach

[MGHPro]

Cool ad Zach.. Anyone ever see herb Schmidt ??

[minibatsman]

I can see the reach decal bat can you post the photos off the other decal bats.
I have a Harry Davis reach decal bat it came from a 1912 dinner that he received an award from the town he played in?

[Exhibitman]

Kind of makes sense they'd be souvenirs. I mean, we know that by the 1930s mini bats were commonplace as ballpark souvenirs and giveaways. One of the first non-card items I picked up was a 1939 H & B Lefty O'Doul Day signature mini bat. So why assume some sort of complex explanation for the earlier versions? Sometimes the simple explanation is the right one.

[Mac927]

Zach,

Great ad and information. The Hank Gowdy is still a bit of a mystery to me. Is there a record of Louisville slugger making BATS without a Louisville slugger label and replacing it with a certain event or series?

Great thread guys. I appreciate the info!

[minibatsman]

No in my opinion it is not common for H&S or H&B to not have there logo on any bat. on this bat I think the -.- is enough for me to say it is a H&S.
I have passed on some possibly rare bats just because they did not have the logo. no different than cards there are fakes out there and I wouldn't buy one without a logo.
why is Gowdy a mystery to you?