This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/1/2012
During the turn of the century, numerous bat suppliers attempted to build a market share of supplying bats to the major leagues. Spalding, Reach, and a young Hillerich & Bradsby company all struggled to build support with professional baseball teams. Little facts are known about the Pontiac Turning Company, but a book about the history of Michigan lists Andrew L. Moore as the company President and acknowledges the company as a viable business interest, not a small mom and pop operation.
What is missing in facts is compensated by the fan favorite Indian with headdress centerbrand logo which is surrounded by the phrase, “PONTIAC TURNING CO., Pontiac, MICH, TRADE MARK”.
Measuring 34” in length and currently weighing 38 ounces, the bat is manufactured to mirror known Napoleon Lajoie bat models supplied by the Louisville Slugger company during the same relative time span. Bat has two small chips on the outer edge of the knob, and dry rot at the very end of the inner barrel. Factory logo is in excellent condition. There are no supporting factory records to document exact use of this brand by major league players, but we do know that PTC did supply bats to the professional leagues.
Other examples of PTC bats have entered the market, with examples of Frank Chance, additional Napoleon Lajoie, and minor league players. During the September 30th, 2010 MEARS Auction, a 1905-16 era Curly Blount stamped bat was offered with identical Indian with headdress center brand.
Additional research found in the June 6th, 1912 issue of Iron Age chronicled the fact that Louisville Slugger purchased the Pontiac Turning Company manufacturing plant. This may have been done to increase H&B production, or to continue selling PTC brand bats.
Bats bearing this brand are quite rare, with less than 7 examples being noted by MEARS. Rare opportunity to own a vintage, 1900-12 Napoleon Lajoie Professional style bat manufactured by a company that was purchased by the Louisville Slugger company.
LOA Troy R. Kinunen / MEARS Auctions
(W0242)