During his 23-year career Jud Wilson was hailed by many as one of the best batsman in the Negro Leagues. Cum Posey said he was the most consistent and dangerous hitter while Satchel Paige thought he was one of the two best Negro League hitters ever. Beginning his career with the Baltimore Black Sox in 1922 the team won the south championship largely on the strength Wilson's hitting. His batting average stood at .522 midway through August. He proved his rookie season wasn't a fluke hitting .373 in 1924 .377 in 1925 and an astounding .469 in 1927. In six winter league seasons in Cuba he won two batting titles and possessed a lifetime .372 average. He hit an impressive .442 in exhibitions against Major Leaguers.

From the 1927-30 period this 37.5 inch 36.5 ounce Hillerich & Bradsby Jud Wilson professional model bat shows evidence of heavy use with a crack on two sides of the handle and a chip on the knob. Many ball marks are visible on all sides of the barrel and there is a light coat of a gripping substance on the lower handle. Visible on the left barrel in vintage grease pencil is the factory side writing Wilson/Passon Gottleib and Black. Passon Gottleib + Black were Pennsylvania retailers during the 1920s.

The interesting aspect of this bat is the side writing. The bat was returned by Gottleib + Black (Passon Gottleib + Black). Passon Gottleib + Black were members of Philadelphia's Jewish Dynasty basketball team the Philadelphia SPHAS. From 1914 to 1916 the SPHAS notched three consecutive city championships thanks to young Eddie Gottleib and two teammates Hughie Black and Harry Passon. The three friends and teammates became partners in a sporting good store named Passon Gottleib + Black. Passon was the future head of the Bacharach Giants of the Negro National League. Undoubtedly due to the proximity of the Passon Gottleib + Black sporting good stores in Philadelphia and their affiliation with the Negro League this Jud Wilson bat found its way to one of Passon Gottleib + Black's outlets and was returned to Hillerich & Bradsby for additional bats of the same model. Also appearing in the factory side writing is another player's name 'Keto' indicating the model was also ordered for him. The bat was returned so models could be made for both Wilson and/or Keto.

In addition to his years with the Black Sox (1922-1930) and Philadelphia Stars (1933-39) Jud Wilson also played with the Homestead Grays (1931-32 1940-45) and the Pittsburgh Crawfords (1932). He played in three Negro World Series for Homestead which completed a run of nine consecutive Negro National League Pennants. Wilson retired after the 1945 season. An All-Star from 1933-1935 Wilson batted .455 with five hits in the three games. This exceptional artifact is a Negro League treasure of the highest order.

Includes a LOA from John Taube of PSA/DNA.