Lelands: A Couple More Choice Items

Well, the Lelands November Auction just completed. Vintage and rare sports memorabilia appear to still be on fire. Can this stuff actually be a hedge against our current economic downturn? Who knows, but so far so good. I suspect the rarity of some of these treasures is the reason for some recent strong closing prices. Memorabilia that is perceived as more readily available has been and will probably continue to be a little soft.

Of course, this is not what this post is about. I had recently written about this auction, but I failed to include some fairly choice collectibles. So, I'm gonna make that up now.

Below is a game used bat once used by Babe Ruth during the 1932 season. Based on records from Hillerich and Bradsby we know that Ruth ordered 12 of these bats for the season. This rare piece of lumber sold for a healthy $59,590.81.

Auction Link: Babe Ruth Game Used Bat:

Now this is the kind of item that belongs in a museum. The silver presentation bat below was made in 1898 and was given to one of Baseball's earliest pioneers, Cap Anson.

Anson was presented this magnificent trophy bat for his many contributions to the game as one of its most prominent early players, only four months after his retirement from the Chicago Colts. The bat is hollow and made of beautiful sterling silver with decadent designs engraved on its barrel and grip. The inscription on the barrel reads “ Presented to Adrian C. Anson by the Students of Notre Dame University as a testimony of their pride in him as one of the earliest and greatest athletes of their Alma Mater, February 22nd, 1898”.

The Bat comes directly from the Anson family. It sold for $36,602.50.

Auction Link: Cap Anson Silver Trophy Bat: