This is one of five graceful figural trophies offered by Spalding during the 1920s. The company was already well known for supplying not only the bats and balls, but the uniforms and anything else needed to play the game of baseball, so it was only natural that they would offer trophy awards of the same quality. Because of the craftsmanship that went into these pieces, they were cost prohibited for most of the general public and today they are quite scarce. However, when one does surface it usually bears the name of a semi-pro or town team to which it was originally awarded.

     This exquisite example does not have any such engraving to take away from the intrinsic beauty of the piece. The trophy stands 20 ¾ inches tall and boasts a golden batter in his follow-through swing standing atop a Spalding-branded ball, mounted on a black-painted wood base. “SPALDING TROPHY” is debased on the sweet spot of the baseball and an un-engraved laurel leaf-ringed plaque is mounted below on the front of the wood base. The sculptors of Dieges & Clust did an outstanding job with the ballplayer, from the folds of the 3/4 sleeves of his jersey to the ribbing on his stirrup socks. The trophy’s condition is very good, with just minimal wear to the edges of the base. The majority of scuffing is on the left-rear area of the wooden base. There is some tarnishing to the metal components, but as a whole it makes a stunning display piece.

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