Antique Louisville Slugger Baseball Bat (Hillerich & Bradsby Co.)
Decorative Sport Americana / Sporting Memorabilia • Hillerich & Bradsby Co., Louisville, KY
Style & Movement
Industrial Americana / Folk Sport utility
Medium & Technique
Turned ash or hickory wood with heat-pressed/burnt-in branding (pyrography) and original varnish finish
Creation Period
Circa 1920-1940 (based on the oval branding style)
Dimensions & Format
Standard full-size bat (approx. 34-36 inches in length); Cylindrical format
Subject Description
A professional-grade baseball bat barrel featuring the distinctive 'Louisville Slugger' oval logo. The branding includes the factory location 'Louisville, KY' and 'Made in U.S.A.' along with the Hillerich & Bradsby Co. name.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good; shows significant signs of age and patina with wear consistent with active use
Estimated Market Value
$150 - $450 (Value increases significantly if a player signature or model number is identified)
Auction Estimate
$100 - $300
Provenance History
Unknown private collection; typical of mid-20th century sporting goods found in American household estates
Art Historical Significance
Represents the Golden Age of baseball; H&B revolutionized the sport with custom bat turning for iconic players like Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb, making these artifacts symbols of 20th-century cultural heritage.
Notable Features
The 'Oval' branding which was standard during the prime years of American professional baseball growth; distinctive graining of Northern White Ash.
Condition Issues
Surface abrasions, wood grain drying, fading of the branding stamp, numerous 'game-used' dings, and potential minor splitting or dry rot at the ends.
Conservation Recommendations
Keep in a climate-controlled environment to prevent wood cracking; avoid liquid cleaners; use a UV-resistant display case and handle with heritage-grade cotton gloves.