19th Century Bats

[benjulmag]

This bat was awarded to the Tri-Mountain Base Ball Club of Boston for winning the 1867 New England Base Ball championship. It is pictured in the sheet music, The Base Ball Quadrille, which was dedicated to the Tri-Mountain team. The bat was also described in period newspaper reports about the tournament, as well as old books on baseball history in New England. The provenance of the item is that it was sold by the estate of the caregiver of the owner of the Tri-Mountain Base Ball Club. He gave it to her before he died, and it remained in her possession until she passed in the latter part of the 20th century, when her estate consigned it to a prominent New England auction house. The bat is multi-toned being made from a variety of historic American woods. It is housed in a custom-made period wood box. Each wood used to make the bat is identified by a silver mount affixed to the bat, along with a mount showing the scores of the games the Tri-Mountains won. The woods are identified to come from the (i) battleships Kearsarge and Alabama (two of the last wooden naval ships, deployed in the early days of the Civil War before the first use, later in the war, of steel battleships),(ii) historic Elm tree at Boston Common, (iii) tree under which Lee surrounded to Grant on April 9, 1865 at Appomattox to formally end the Civil War, and (iv) Lincoln's cabin.

[bgar3]

Corey, obviously a great bat. I believe that elm tree on the Commons was also the location where a number of very early games were played before other fields took over.

[Huysmans]

Hey Corey,

that bat is absolutely breathtaking. I've been enamored with it since seeing your collection in Smithsonian Baseball. When considering it's condition, historical importance, construction, and overall aesthetics... it is arguably the greatest piece of 19th century baseball memorabilia in existence.

[benjulmag]

Originally Posted by Huysmans

Hey Corey,

that bat is absolutely breathtaking. I've been enamored with it since seeing your collection in Smithsonian Baseball. When considering it's condition, historical importance, construction, and overall aesthetics... it is arguably the greatest piece of 19th century baseball memorabilia in existence.

Thank you Brent. I've always enjoyed collecting baseball items that cross over into other areas of collecting, which this bat well symbolizes.

[Mark]

Originally Posted by Huysmans

Hey Corey,

that bat is absolutely breathtaking. I've been enamored with it since seeing your collection in Smithsonian Baseball. When considering it's condition, historical importance, construction, and overall aesthetics... it is arguably the greatest piece of 19th century baseball memorabilia in existence.

Absolutely! thanks for including that most astounding bat in this already astounding survey of 19th century bats.

[GaryPassamonte]

That is an amazing work of art, Corey. It's as good as it gets.
I must add that you are looking a little mysterious in your scan.

[ksfarmboy]

Wow, incredible bat!

[bgar3]

Thanks to this thread, especially Matt’s comment that everyone should own a Rayburn bat, and John announcing he was ordering one, I am now the fortunate owner of one Bill’s bats. It is a 39 inch willow bat, wrapped in leather, with a lacquer finish. The “CBBC” stand for the Cincinnati Base Ball Club. It is such a work of art my wife is allowing me to have it in our living room.
I hope this jump starts this thread again, sorry it is not vintage, but it does fit the topic.
Thank you Bill.

[Bill Rayburn]

Bruce, thanks for the kind words. I get a lot of personal satisfaction out of making these bats but the real pleasure is making new friends such as yourself. Thanks again and I am glad you like it.