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Overview: This represents an opportunity to obtain a multi-faceted bat that was ordered, used, and approved by Lou Gehrig in 1931, then used to fill Gehrig's subsequent bat orders from 1931 to 1938, and finally was branded and placed on display by the Hillerich & Bradsby Company. Included with this bat are a MEARS Letter of Authenticity (Certification #306448), a Mike Specht/BATS Letter of Authenticity, mailing label remnants, and a copy of the fax from Rex Bradley dated 7/5/1995.
Lou Gehrig, one of the most popular players in New York Yankee history, was popularly called the "The Iron Horse" for his durability. Gehrig was voted the greatest first baseman of all time by the Baseball Writers' Association. A native of New York City, he played for the New York Yankees until his career was cut short by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), now commonly referred to in the United States as Lou Gehrig's Disease. Over a 15-season span between 1925 and 1939, he played in 2,130 consecutive games.
Gehrig accumulated 1,995 RBIs in seventeen seasons with a lifetime batting average of .340, a lifetime on-base percentage of .447, and a lifetime slugging percentage of .632. A seven-time All-Star (the first All-Star game was not until 1933), he won the American League's Most Valuable Player award in 1927 and 1936 and was a Triple Crown winner in 1934, leading the American League in batting average, home runs, and RBIs. His record for most career grand slam home runs (23) still stands today. He was a member of Yankee World Championship teams in 1923, 1927, 1928, 1932, 1936, 1937, 1938, and 1939, and was elected to the national Baseball Hall of fame in 1939.
His popularity with fans endures to this day, as is evidenced by his being one of the leading vote-getters on the Major League Baseball All-Century Team, chosen in 1999.
This bat was authenticated by MEARS (LOA included) and was graded A8 (Certification # 306448.) Below is a comprehensive, detailed analysis of the bat as conducted by Mike Specht / BATS (LOA included). The bottom line? This bat was sourced directly from the Hillerich & Bradsby Company in 1981. Ultimately, the evidence is compelling that this bat was manufactured from a request submitted by Lou Gehrig to Hillerich & Bradsby company in May, 1931. Following manufacture, the bat was shipped, or delivered, unbranded to Gehrig for his approval. He tested and approved this new model and returned it to H & B. For the next eight years this bat was used as a pattern bat to complete additional orders from Gehrig during that period. During that time, modifications were noted on this bat as requested in specific orders by Gehrig. Following the end of Gehrig's career, this bat was subsequently branded with 'modern branding and used for display purposes by the Hillerich & Bradsby Company.
Analysis
The analysis below is in regard to the enclosed Lou Gehrig baseball bat manufactured by the Hillerich & Bradsby Company. This bat has undergone physical and independent forensic examination, comparative analysis with existing factory shipping records from the Hillerich & Bradsby Company, and a review of the provenance that accompanies the bat. This bat is specifically identified as having the vault mark H67 stamped into both the knob and barrel end, the side-written notation Gehrig Model 5-13-31, and the branded signature of New York Yankee Hall of Fame baseball player Lou Gehrig.
Provenance
This bat was one of six (6) Lou Gehrig bats obtained directly from Mr. Rex Bradley, Vice President, Hillerich & Bradsby Company, 125 Wood Division, between 1983 and 1988. Specifically, this bat was one of three obtained from Mr. Bradley on December 2, 1988, including two (2) other vaulted Gehrig bats, marked G76 and G93. While this bat has remained in the consignor's collection since acquisition, others found their way into the collections of some of the most noted vintage bat collectors in the hobby.
At the time of acquisition, Mr. Bradley identified this bat as having been returned to H & B by Lou Gehrig on 5/13/31 for new bats with any changes noted. No brandings existed on this bat at that time. He added that the bat was subsequently part of a traveling display that toured the United States and Japan during a sales/marketing campaign during the 1950s and 1960s, and was subsequently branded for that purpose.
Later, in 1995, in a separate fax to the President of the Professional Bat Collector's Club, Mr. Bradley answered questions about the three vault marked bats noted above. In that fax, Mr. Bradley confirmed use of the Gehrig side-written 5-13-31, H67 vault marked bat. The complete contents of that fax will be discussed in detail, below.
Physical Examination
This bat is uncracked, measures 35.9 inches in length and weighs approximately 36.25 ounces. The bat has a medium patina which has become irregular over the years. This bat contains vault marks, side-writing, tool room markings, and branded center and barrel labeling, each of which will be examined below. Additionally, areas where shipping labels and/or stamps were affixed remain evidenced on this bat. Remnants of those labels accompany this bat and will be examined in detail below.
This bat contains evidence of light use, consistent with use seen when bats were shipped to a player for trial and approval. These characteristics include scoring, grain swelling, and surface marks.
Forensic Examination
Independent forensic examination of this bat was conducted with specific emphasis on side-writing and tool room markings, shipping labels and remnants, and postage stamp remnants. The results of this examination will be discussed below.
Hillerich & Bradsby Factory Records
A review of Lou Gehrig's personal Hillerich & Bradsby factory records confirms that a new model was made at Gehrig's request dated 5/13/31. This order is the second order which appears on Gehrigs handwritten H & B bat card, known as "post-1930 H & B records." Earlier "pre-1930 H & B ledger records" document twenty-one previous Gehrig orders. The model requested on 5/13/31 was to be manufactured "with Earl (sic) Combs handle," a length of 36 inches, and a weight of 37.5 ounces. This model became Gehrig's bat of choice for the next eight years through the end of his career in 1939, and accounted for 34 of his 39 documented orders during that period.
This bat was a modification of Gehrig's previously documented order of 7/16/24 and is referenced in the factory records as "His 5-13-31," a reference which matches the side-writing on this bat. This was the common method of players' bat identification at the time. Subsequently, in the late 1930s, an identification system known as "vault marking" was introduced and this bat was identified as H67. In the early 1940s, following the end of Gehrig's career, Hillerich & Bradsby adopted a new method of identification. In 1941, this bat was assigned the model number G69, becoming the Lou Gehrig marketing, or 'Pro Stock' model.
The Hillerich & Bradsby factory records annotate several changes and adjustments that were made to Gehrig's orders of this bat between 1931 and 1939, which are also reflected in tool room markings which appear on this bat. Those will be discussed, in detail, below.
Side-Writing
There are various notations written on this bat that evidence its authenticity. The most significant writing are the words Gehrig Model 5-13-31. This marking is known as "side-writing" and was most commonly used by Hillerich & Bradsby employees to identify bats that were returned to the factory by a player requesting that additional bats be made to the same specifications, or to identify the date that a new model (or modification to an existing model) was ordered by a player. When the bat was delivered to the company after mailing, it was so identified by writing, in artists' grease pencil, on the bat.
The words Hornsby knob also appear on this bat in side-writing format. Forensic evaluation indicates that this notation was applied with the same instrument, and at the same time, as the Gehrig Model 5-13-31 notation. This is a reference to the knob found on Gehrig's 4-16-27 which was specified as the modification requested in the manufacturing of this bat. Additional information in this regard is contained in the section below.
The notation Master Model 5-13-31 also appears on this bat. In comparison, forensic examination indicates that this side-writing and the notation of Gehrig Model 5-13-31 were applied at different times, with the Master Model 5-13-31 notation application coming after time and storage conditions caused the wood to slightly separate and lose moisture. That analysis is consistent with the earlier notation reflecting Gehrig's acceptance of this modification for use in future orders, and the later notation indicative of this model becoming Gehrig's model of choice from 1931 through 1939, and subsequently designated as the model used to market Lou Gehrig's name and style (Pro Stock) in 1941 as G69.
Tool Room Markings
During the course of filling subsequent orders of the same model bat for a player, various adjustments were often requested by the player. Notations regarding those adjustments would be written on the bat itself by the tool room craftsmen. Such notations are generally referred to as "tool room markings." Several of these markings appear on this bat that specifically match handwritten notations in Gehrig's personal "post-1930" H & B factory records.
This bat bears the notation Hornsby knob on the handle, in side-writing style, as noted above. This is consistent with the knob found on this bat, notations in the factory records, and photo documentation. This specific knob measures approximately 1.62 inches by 0.5 inch, and was preferred by Gehrig at the time as he held the bat far down on the knob, with his little finger hanging off the knob. The order received from Gehrig on 5-13-31 requested a "4-16-27 knob," which was the Hornsby knob as evidenced on Gehrig's 4-16-27 model (G76) which was acquired at the same time as this bat.
In subsequent orders, when there was a deviation from a small Hornsby knob, the adjustment was recorded as "Ruth knob." The frequent adjustment to a Ruth knob, first requested on 9/14/33, resulted in the production of a variation of the G69 model – G69L (large knob.)
On the barrel end of this bat is the notation, 5-25-38 36 ½ 37 ½. In Gehrig's factory records, it reads, "5-25-38 his 5-13-31 Ruth knob 35 ½ oz., 36 ½ oz, 37 ½ oz." These matching notations indicate that, on May 25, 1938, three ash bats with adjusted weights including 36 ½ oz. and 37 ½ oz. were shipped to Gehrig as ordered. This is a specific match point between the tool room markings found on this bat and Gehrig's documented H & B factory records.
Also on this bat is the notation 6-6-38 35" 35 oz 3 XLK ref model made 4A. In Gehrig's factory records it specifies "6-6-38 His 5-13-31 Ruth knob only 1" shorter 35 oz. A3." These matching notations indicate that, on June 6, 1938, three ash bats with an adjusted weight of 35 oz. and an adjusted length of 35 inches (from the 36 inch length of this bat) were shipped to Gehrig as ordered. This is a specific match point between the tool room markings found on this bat and Gehrig's documented H & B factory records.
Also on the barrel end of this bat is the notation, 7-9-38 adjust -1" + 35 oz. In Gehrig's factory records, it reads, "7-9-38 off his model little smaller on big end Model made 35 oz. A3." This dated notation directly follows the 6/6/38 notation above. This notation indicates that a new model was made to this specification and the shipment on July 9, 1938 of three ash bats to Gehrig were adjusted to 35 inches in length (from the 36 inch length of this bat) and weighed 35 ounces. The H & B indexed diagram for "His 7-9-38" confirms a length of 35 inches. The slight reduction in the size of the barrel was likely in response to Gehrig's weakening physical condition. This is another specific match point between the tool room markings found on this bat and Gehrig's documented H & B factory records.
On the handle of this bat the marking <- 13 / 16 -> appears. This notation refers to the request for a "Combs handle," documented not only on Gehrig's H & B records of 5-13-31 but also by Rex Bradley on 7/5/95. The Combs handle is generally referenced as 26 / 32 " and is thinner that a "Daubert handle" (which is found on Gehrig's 7-5-24 model bat) which was incorporated onto this bat – the 5-13-31 modification. This is a specific match point between the tool room markings found on this bat and Gehrig's documented H & B factory records.
Also on the handle is the notation 35 ½, a reference to length. This specific bat is almost 36 inches in length, consistent with Gehrig's personal representations of his use of a 36 inch bat throughout most of his career, specifically in 1932. In his testimony during Hillerich & Bradsby Co. v. Hanna Manufacturing Company, he stated, " Throughout the season of 1932 I used a bat 36 inches in length and ranging in weight between 36 and 37 ounces." This notation appears approximately a half-inch from the knob, and suggests orders of this model modified to 35 ½ inches in length, which was a length documented as used frequently by Gehrig through the mid-late 1920's to 1931.
Additional unreferenced tool room markings are present on this bat. Forensic examination suggests that multiple tool room markings in lead pencil were applied and erased over the years. That observation is consistent with modifications request to this bat over 34 separate orders during an eight-year period 1931-1939.
Vault Marks
In certain instances, when a player returned a Louisville Slugger bat to the factory to be used as a pattern for future bats, the bat was branded on the knob, and usually on the barrel end, with a letter followed by a number. This is known as a "vault mark" and appears white in color. This bat is vault marked H67 on both ends as described.
The vault mark H67 is an apparent reference to a model preferred by Rogers Hornsby. At the time of the acquisition of this bat from Rex Bradley, Mr. Bradley stated that Gehrig was a great fan of Hornsby, and wanted Hornsby's model bat, with a small knob, thin handle, and big barrel. Hillerich & Bradsby "pre-1930 ledger records" confirm that Gehrig's first documented order of bats was recorded as "Old Hornsby #1 (adjusted to) 35.5" / 39/40 oz." Additionally, the geometry of this bat is consistent with a block letter, sidewritten Lou Gehrig bat from September, 1923 (a month before he signed an endorsement contract with the company) with dimensions of 36 inches and 37-39 ounces, that was represented by Mr. Bradley as having been patterned after Hornsby's 1920 Model #1 (His Old Hornsby.)
Subsequently, Mr. Bradley wrote that Gehrig's order that was used in the manufacture of this bat was, "per (Gehrig's) request – his 7-5-24 off Old Hornsby #1 w/ Combs handle 26/32 Modified 36 index model H67 wts. 37/38 oz. + 4-16-27 knob." That statement indicates that Gehrig's early model dated 7-5-24 was patterned after the Old Hornsby # 1 model. On 5-13-31 Gehrig requested that a model be made off of that 7-5-24 bat, but modified to incorporate a thinner Combs handle, a 4-16-27 knob (a Hornsby knob rather than a flare knob) and manufactured to an indexed length of 36 inches. The bat patterned upon that request was subsequently vault marked H67.
The common practice of Hillerich & Bradsby was to utilize the first letter of the last name of the player who either returned the bat for replication, or who had requested a modification of an existing bat into a new model. In this case, H & B appears to have deviated from that common practice, and as specified by Rex Bradley, vault marked this bat with the designation H67 several years after the manufacture of this bat. The reason for that deviation from the common vault marking practice remains unknown. That general practice continued, however, when the 'model number' method of identification replaced vault marking in the early 1940s. This bat was, in accordance with common practice, designated model G69, and additionally identified as Gehrig's marketing (or Pro Stock) model.
Labeling
At the time of acquisition, Mr. Bradley represented that this bat was not branded until the time that it was made part of a traveling exhibit that toured the United States and Japan in the 1950s and 1960s. The label characteristics of this bat are consistent with that.
The barrel label, which incorporates the early, large variation of Lou Gehrig's signature, is a representation of the barrel label branding seen through the mid-1940s on Louisville Slugger bats. The center label is a replication of branding consistent with the early 1950's. The exact date the brandings were applied is unknown.
It is noted that the practice of stamping previously unbranded bats for display purposes was common. A notation appears in Gehrig's factory records that Gehrig's Model G69 bat in the Louisville Slugger Museum's Famous Old Timer's Louisville Slugger display "has modern brand and his autograph".
Additional Information
It has been reported that it was common practice for Hillerich & Bradsby to send unmarked / unbranded blank bats to players to 'try out' in order to determine their preference in bats for future orders. Players would then return the bat(s) they preferred to the factory for duplication. This would be even more likely when a 'new model' was manufactured from a written request, to ensure the player's approval. This practice has been documented and verified by such people as Hillerich & Bradsby President / CEO John Hillerich IV and Rex Bradley as well as players themselves and H & B craftsmen. Additional physical examples of this practice have surfaced, including a Lloyd Waner vault marked W44 unbranded bat directly acquired from Hillerich & Bradsby.
This bat was unmarked until at least 1950, and possibly later, given the brandings subsequently placed on it. Two specific features indicate that, at some point, this bat left the Louisville Slugger factory and was later returned, as indicated by Mr. Bradley at the time of acquisition. First, there is a lightened surface area on this barrel of the bat. Adhesive residue is seen in this area as well, with color variations suggesting the remnant of a postage stamp. Forensic examination identified this stamp as a "1919 issued Red Violet Franklin – 50 cents denomination," correct for the period. Second, Included with this bat are remnants of a shipping label that was retained at the time of acquisition. This label indicates that the bat was shipped to the Hillerich & Bradsby factory, to the attention of H. Morrow (H & B) by P. Sheeny (New York Yankees). The mailing address to H & B is consistent with the date, as H & B had moved the plant from South Preston St. to Finzer St. in 1925. It is noted that the label has a typographical error, noting the address as Kinzer St. in Louisville. Forensic examination of the shipping label remnants identified characteristics of manufacture between 1900 and 1920, correct for the period. Additionally, under microscopic forensic examination, the remnants of the shipping labels were specific to the residue present on the bat with a match probability of 99.5%.
Conclusion
This bat was obtained directly from Mr. Rex Bradley of Hillerich & Bradsby in 1988. It is one of several bats attributed to the New York Yankees Hall of Fame player which originated directly from the Louisville Slugger vaults. Of those bats, this may be the most intriguing as it defines a relationship between two of the most accomplished hitters in baseball history, Lou Gehrig and Rogers Hornsby.
According to Mr. Bradley, this style of bat was originally manufactured at the direction of Hall of Fame player Rogers Hornsby, and subsequently chosen by Lou Gehrig as a favored model. Following modifications requested by Lou Gehrig, first in 1924, then 1927, and finally 1931, this bat was manufactured and, after Gehrig's approval, used from May, 1931 through April, 1939 as a model from which subsequent orders of Louisville Slugger bats for Gehrig were patterned. Use characteristics, shipping labels, and H & B common practice suggest that this bat was sent from the factory for trial use by the player who requested its manufacture, was approved, and returned to the factory.
During the 1950s and 1960s, this bat was branded (post-career) and displayed in a traveling Louisville Slugger Museum throughout the United States and Japan, further attesting to its significance.
The provenance of this bat is unimpeachable. Obtained directly from the Louisville Slugger vaults, this specific bat is identified in Hillerich & Bradsby factory records initially as "His (Gehrig's) 5-13-31," then vault marked in the late 1930's as H67, and finally given the model number G69 in 1941. All information was verified by Mr. Bradley both verbally at the time of acquisition, and in subsequent written documentation seven years later. His representations are consistent with available documented records. Additionally, there are numerous specific matches between the tool room markings on this bat and the handwritten personal H & B factory records of Lou Gehrig. Forensic evaluation confirms the relationship of the retained shipping labels to this specific bat, and the period-appropriate paper, stamp residue, and side-writing.
Ultimately, the evidence is compelling that this bat was manufactured from a request submitted by Lou Gehrig to Hillerich & Bradsby company in May, 1931. Following manufacture, the bat was shipped, or delivered, unbranded to Gehrig for his approval. He tested and approved this new model and returned it to H & B. For the next eight years this bat was used as a pattern bat to complete additional orders from Gehrig during that period. During that time, modifications were noted on this bat as requested in specific orders by Gehrig. Following the end of Gehrig's career, this bat was subsequently branded with 'modern branding and nd used for display purposes by the Hillerich & Bradsby company.
This represents an opportunity to obtain a multi-faceted bat that was ordered, used, and approved by Lou Gehrig in 1931, then used to fill Gehrig's subsequent bat orders from 1931 to 1938, and finally was branded and placed on display by the Hillerich & Bradsby Company. Included with this bat are a MEARS Letter of Authenticity (Certification #306448), a Mike Specht/BATS Letter of Authenticity, mailing label remnants, and a copy of the fax from Rex Bradley dated 7/5/1995.View Lot Detail page
The bat was discovered to have had three separate incarnations. First, on May 13, 1931, Gehrig made a written request for H & B to manufacture a bat modified from his previous orders, “with Earle Combs handle,” measuring 36 inches in length with a weight of 37.5 ounces.
suggesting the remnant of a postage stamp. Forensic examination identified this stamp as a 1919 issued Red Violet Franklin – 50 cents denomination, correct for the period. The return shipping label indicates that the bat was sent to the Hillerich & Bradsby factory from Yankee Stadium in New York. Forensic examination of the shipping label remnants identified characteristics of manufacture between 1900 and 1920, correct for the period. Additionally, under microscopic examination, the remnants of the shipping labels were specific to the residue present on the bat with a match probability of 99.5%.
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