SCP Auctions Spring 2010 Internet Auction
Wed, May 26, 2010 08:00PM EDT - Tue, Jun 1, 2010 10:00AM EDT
Timed Auction
Lot 186
1918-21 GROVER CLEVELAND ALEXANDER LOUISVILLE SLUGGER SIDE WRITTEN GAME USED BAT (MEARS A9.5) (PSA/DNA GU10)
Sold for
$28,297.20
Sold Price includes BP
Bid Increments
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| $0 | $10 |
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| $500 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $3,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $30,000 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
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| $300,000 | $25,000 |
| $500,000 | $50,000 |
While overcoming the setbacks of epilepsy hearing loss and double vision the man they called "Old Pete" compiled 373 career victories ranking amongst contemporaries Young and Johnson as the finest pitchers of their generation. Pitcher bats have always proven to be relatively scarce for obvious reasons but early pre-war specimens such as this are particularly rare. This 33 inch 32.2 ounce Hillerich & Bradsby Grover "Cleveland" Alexander professional model bat dates from 1918-21 per its labeling. Alexanders last name appears in pronounced block lettering on the barrel. It shows evidence of tremendous use with a handle crack and checking (grain swelling) from repeated ball contact visible on the barrel. Faint side writing is also visible on the left barrel. The side written area on this Alexander game used bat has been examined by PSA/DNA with a special device used by forensic handwriting laboratories to enhance faint hand writing. When viewed through the lens of the spectral comparator the side written area still contains the letter 'der' and the return date of '3 14 22'. Also visible are the letters `go Nat' for Chicago National League. The inscription is in the hand of Henry Morrow Hillerich & Bradsby pro player representative during the referenced labeling period.
During Grover "Cleveland" Alexander's career (1911-1930) only two other Alexander's Walt and Dale played major league ball neither of which coincided with the specific 1918-21 window in which this bat is positively attributed to. The side written notation 'go Nat' (Chicago National League) allows us to identify this bat as being that of Grover "Cleveland" Alexander. Alexander pitched for the Chicago Cubs during the referenced labeling period specifically 1918 thru 1925. Since the bat was returned from a member of the Chicago Cubs and not a minor league affiliate the last name Alexander that appears on the barrel can only be that of the great Hall of Fame pitcher. The appearance of factory side writing matching the name of the player who is branded into the bat is considered to be impeccable provenance. Includes LOAs from MEARS (Grade A9.5) and John Taube of PSA/DNA (Grade GU10)
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