Holiday Auction Closing December 3
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/4/2016
The years 1910-1915 saw Honus Wagner winding down his Hall of Fame career. Still, even as the Pittsburgh strongman sailed into middle age, he managed to lead the National League in batting one last time in 1911. As a tribute to his lasting influence on the game, Hillerich & Bradsby included Honus in their premier line of decal bats.
This model 40 W decal bat shows outstanding use and is un-cracked. Many ball marks and stitch impressions are visible along with cleat marks. Approximately 40% of the decal remains on the barrel. The handle was wrapped in black electrician’s tape and in the area that has since been removed and the bat’s original patina can be seen. The bat weights 43.4 ounces and is 34.75 in length. According to MEARS, decal bats were popular retail items but some did make it to the major and minor leagues. There is photographic example of Ty Cobb using what appears to be a model 40 W decal bat. This bat comes with a full LOA from PSA/DNA (1B02153) who have graded this bat a GU 6.