This historically significant bat produced by Hillerich & Bradsby (manufacturers of 'Louisville Slugger' baseball bats) is among the first in a long series of presentation bats given to the participants in each World Series since 1934. Originally produced as brown-surfaced bats adorned with gold embossed facsimile signatures (representing those players with the team who had signature contracts with H&B) or block-letter format names, the surface color was changed to black in 1938 so as to allow the players names to stand out in a much bolder fashion. Known to collectors as "black bats" (this term includes the early brown-colored bats), only one complete run (1934-present) is known to have ever been assembled. The offered 1937 New York Yankees bat, from the personal collection of Yankee pitcher Johnny Murphy, is one of the rarest pieces in the entire series. In extremely well-preserved condition, this spectacular display bat boasts facsimile signatures of Hall of Famers Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Joe McCarthy, Bill Dickey, Tony Lazzeri, Lefty Gomez, Red Ruffing, and Earle Combs, as well as other Yankees stars from the Championship team: Geo. Selkirk, Myril Hoag, John Schulte, Bump Hadley, Frank Crosetti, Red Rolfe, etc. The signatures and block names are deeply and attractively embedded, with Gehrig's being especially noteworthy for its size, clarity, and quality. With an extremely attractive finish and the bright gold names, the bat presents at a condition level that is minimally EX-MT. One of the most desirable "Black Bats" extant with the added appeal of having direct player provenance!

Includes Letter of Provenance from the Murphy Family.