MEARS Auction #25, Ends April 30th, 2011, 9:00 CST, w/ 15-minute rule

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Lot #1614:

1922-23 Larry Kopf H&B Louisville Slugger Side Written Professional Model Game Used Bat - 1919 Cincinnati Reds - Boston Braves - Cleveland Indians - 1914-15 Philadelphia A's (MEARS A7.5)

This is a signature model bat with inch marks (32) stamped on the knob yet we cannot find it listed in any catalog and is the only example we have ever seen or heard of. In addition, this bat comes by way of the Louisville vaults in that it is side written and has parts of the original shipping label still attached. It was not sent back by Kopf as you can read "tin" of the last name along with a return date of 4-7-24. It is 32" and 36.4 oz. There is a 6" handle crack and a bit of grain separation on the front of the barrel and the bat shows heavy game use. Game model bats with inch marks, esp. of obscure players is well-documented (see our archives for article on this very issue) and this one was definitely game used by someone and returned to Louisville. Regardless, it is the only signature model Larry Kopf bat that we have ever seen or heard of with only one other Kopf bat known and that was an early block letter model. Kopf is best known for his years with the Reds including the famous 1919 team. (He played for the Reds from 1916-21) but he was also a member of the 1914-15 Athletics and finished his career with the Braves (1922-23) when this bat was returned. We have graded it an A7.5 based on its side writing and as a game used bat given all of the evidence presented but have duly noted any inconsistency. Regardless, if you are trying to put together the 1919 Reds team, this is probably your only chance to add a Kopf to your collection in this lifetime.

Player: Larry Kopf

Block/Script Name: script

Label Period: 1922-25

Year/s Used: 1922-23

Teams Played During Era of Bat: Boston Brave

Other Teams Played: Boston Braves

Majors:

Minors: 1916 Baltimore

Mfg: H&B

Model Number: pre model

Length: 32

Weight: 36.4

Side Writing: yes but name too light to read but not Kopf

Vault Marks: no

Game Use: heavy

Ball Marks:

Swelling: top and back of barrel

Grain Separation: yes, on front

Cleat Marks: yes

Rack Marks: no

Nails/Screws: no

Cracked: yes

Pine Tar: no

Handle Tape: no

Handle Crack: 6" H style crack

Barrel Crack: no

Dents/Gouges: no

Autographed: no

Uniform Number: no

Knob Markings: 32"

Barrel Markings: none

Finish: ash

Provenance: yes, Louisville vaults

Factory Records: no

Player Traits: unknown

Grade: A7.5 with 5 base, 3 use and minus .5 for dead wood/crack

MEARS Pop. Report: only signature model recorded

Comments: remains of original shipping label Collection of MEARS Staff C0765

(MEARS LOA)