This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/31/2011
Honus Wagner used 40K Kork Gripped bats!
Over the past several years, with the aid of available photographic images, examination of actual bats, newspaper accounts, and the study of player’s personal bat records, it can be stated with 100% certainty that 40K bats were used in the major leagues.
On September 1st, 1905, Honus Wagner was the first player to sign an endorsement contract with the JF Hillerich & Son Co. bat company. It is surmised that from 1905 until 1911, pro model bats were only issues as blank barrel or professional model decal bats. No facsimile signature model bats of any players have entered the hobby from 1905-1911, zero.
To further illustrate the point, from the years 1911-16, there is only one Non 40K player signature model bat known, a Ty Cobb. We do not know the exact date it was manufactured, other than the 1911-16 era. Signature model bats from 1911-16 are just plain rare.
With the patent date of 1914 on the barrel, we can confidently date this bat from the 1914-16 era. Without knowing the exact production date of the referenced Ty Cobb bat, this may have been one of the first signature model game used bats ever offered! (If the Cobb bat was manufactured after 1914)
Regardless, based on photographic evidence and a comparison to like Wagner bats that have entered the hobby, MEARS is confident to state that Honus Wagner did indeed use the 40K Kork Grip during the 1914-16 era.
The details of the actual bat are as follows:
Length (34 ¾”): The bat measures 34 ¾” and is consistent within one-half inch of two other documented game used Honus Wagner bats.
MEARS compared this length to the only known side written bat, the 1916 Honus Wagner from the Marshall Fogel collection, (MEARS #301495). The Fogel bat measured 34.875”, thus supporting this bat's 34.75” as a length within a consistent range of the only signature model side written example.
This bat is also consistent with respects to length to the 1905 Honus Wagner Pittsburg Lucky Special side written bat, 34.5”. There was a ¼” difference between this side written example and the offered bat.
When reviewing Wagner’s personal H&B bat records, his file card appears as:
H&B display bat: 34.5”
Therefore, this bat is consistent with both Wagner’s personal bat card and two side written examples, (within ¼”).
Weight 41 ounces: Recent weighing of this bat supports this as being manufactured by H&B within a range as documented as being ordered by Honus Wagner. Surviving H&B records listing player weights indicate bats sent to Honus Wagner on 1911 at 44 & 50 ounces. In 1912, he requested weight at 45 ounces. Therefore, this bat at its current weight is consistent with available factory records. Currently weighing 41 ounces, this bat is within an acceptable weight range for what you would expect to have been provided Honus Wagner to use.
Model (W107): Per H&B factory records, the Honus Wagner model bat was designated as the W107 model. With respect to model, this bat compares favorably to:
Honus Wagner file card which lists his model as the W107
1905 Honus Wagner Pittsburg Lucky Special side written bat (W107))
1917 Honus Wagner 125 side written bat (W107) – Marshall Fogel Collection (#301495)
1914-15 Honus Wagner Pittsburgh Pirates H&B Louisville Slugger 40K Professional Model Game Bat (MEARS A7) (W107)
By comparison to the factory record and other known examples, it is established that the W107 model was used by Honus Wagner during his player career, and this bat is that model.
Signature model: On 9/1/05, Honus Wagner was the first professional player to have signed his endorsement contact with Louisville Slugger. A facsimile of his signature appeared on his early (1905-1910) decal bats, his 40K model bats of 1911-16, and the one known 1917 (125) model example. He continued to have signature model bats through the 1920-40s as a coach with the Pirates. This barrel stamping is consistent with that documented example.
Kork Grip: MEARS has established via photograph proof (Honus Wagner/Joe Jackson with Kork Grip bat), reference in the H&B factory records, and the examination of additional professional model 40K bats, that Louisville Slugger supplied professional ballplayers with this model. Examples examined by our company include:
MEARS #302455 1921-31 Eddie Collins 40K
MEARS #301123 1914-15 Ty Cobb 40K
MEARS #251754 1911-16 Joe Jackson 40K
MEARS #303775 1917-21 Ty Cobb 40K
MEARS #255107 1917-21 Harry Davis 40K
MEARS #302906 1921-31 Frank Frisch 40K
MEARS #302914 1921-31 George Sisler 40K
MEARS #302944 1921-31 Ed Roush 40K
MEARS #301586 1921-31 Lew Fonseca 40K
With the exception of the cork grip, the above referenced bats were consistent with each players personal bat record ordering patterns with respect to length, weight, model, and barrel signature. The above players did have store model 40K bats offered to the general public, but those were found with inch marks on the knob. The above examples had hand turned knobs, which is a practice consistent with professionally produced bats. It should be noted that the two common players, Ramsey and Smith were also produced with hand turned knobs. The hand turned knobs were consistent for both common and Hall of Fame caliber players.
Common Players Examined
MEARS research 1921-31 George Ramsey 40K (block letter) 36”, 36.8 oz, hand turned, sw 7/28/23
MEARS research 1921-31 Harry Smith 40K (block letter) 34”, 32.3 oz, hand turned, sw 8/15/29
The examination of the Ramsey and Smith 40K bats proved that H&B did produce bats from common players.
The examination and listing of the above bats allows MEARS to establish the fact that Hillerich & Bradsby supplied major league ballplayers with 40K professional model bats from the era of 1911-31. The MEARS image of Joe Jackson with the 40K grip allows for photographic verification. The inclusion of Harry Davis & Lew Fonseca in the group allows for us to establish that 40K bats were supplied to Non-Hall of Famers. All of the above-examined bats were also consistent with respect to model to their 125 H&B examples. There is also a specific factory record for Babe Ruth ordering Kork Grip bats during the 1921 season. It appears in the factory record as:
Tom Griffith, 8/9/21, with kork grip
This ledger entry verifies the fact that Babe Ruth did indeed request order of bats with the kork grip application.
A thorough examination of the H&B factory records did reveal additional references of major league ballplayers ordering Kork Grip bats. Under Cardinals star Pepper Martin H&B personal bat records, the following information is recorded:
5-10-40 order: Johnny Mize, use Hornbsy with cork handle, 36”, 35 ounce
7-24-40 order: Hornsby cork handle, 36”, 33 ounce
8-28-40 order: Hornsby cork handle, 35”, 33 ounce
Finally, an additional 40K bat, 1913-14 Ty Cobb MEARS #310769, was examined by MEARS and established production of this model bat for other high profile HOFers during the same era.
Game Use: Inspection reveals the bat to exhibit signs of heavy game use. In an eight inch area directly above the Honus Wagner facsimile barrel stampings are dozens of deeply embedded stitch marks. In this same area are 5 grains of wood that have risen slightly, creating the beginning of the deadwood effect. Deadwood is a positive trait of game use, and is caused from repeated contact of bat to ball. In an area similar to previously mentioned area is an additional area of deeply embedded seam marks, of a slightly less concentration. On the reverse of the bat is another area of slight deadwood.
In the area surrounding the facsimile barrel signature (not touching) were 5 indentations that have been professional restored.
The handle was covered in period, factory applied cork. There are some areas of light flaking, caused from heavy game use. The knob is worn, with a very slight chip from the outer rim. Cleat marks are also found scattered on several surfaces of the bat.
Photographic Support: Accompanying this lot is a photograph of Honus Wagner with a Kork Gripped bat in hand. See Getty Image. Jersey style dates photo to 1915-16.
Final Grade MEARS A9: 5 base points were assigned for bat being consistent with player manufacturing specifications (length, weight, model) for the period, 3 points for heavy game use, plus one point for photographic documentation/player traits (kork grip). The barrel area of the bat had some light restoration to remove some surface scratches.
Conclusion: In my opinion, this bat may have been one of the first signature model bats offered for professional use, which would be quite fitting considering Honus Wagner was the first Louisville Slugger endorsee. The length, weight, and model are consistent and documented with what Honus Wagner used during the era 1914-16. Examinations of factory records verify 40K usage at the big league level. Finally the accompanying photographic shows Honus Wagner with a Kork Grip model bat in his hands.
LOA MEARS/Troy R. Kinunen
(MEARS LOA)