1937 and 1938 New York Yankees World Series Black Bats

Sold For:

$1,175

Year:

1937

Auction:

2008 Spring

Lot #:

1246

Category:

Post-1900 Baseball Memorabilia

Collection of two extremely early New York Yankee World Series black bats commemorating, respectively, the World Championship seasons of 1937 and 1938. Each bat is dated and features the facsimile signatures of the respective team members (including Lou Gehrig and Joe DiMaggio) stamped on the barrel. World Series black bats dating from the 1930s are particularly scarce. Hillerich & Bradsby first began the practice of issuing World Series black bats in 1934; therefore these two bats represent only the second and third Yankees black bats ever produced. Black bats were only available to players and organizational staff members from each participating World Series team, and most were limited in production to just 200 to 300 per year. H&B initially produced brown bats, but in 1938 they changed the color scheme to black. Black bats were then issued every year until 1999, at which time the company ceased issuing them. The 1937 brown bat displays a number of light scratches along the handle and is otherwise in Near Mint condition. The 1938 black bat displays light wear to many of the silver-foil stamps (all are still legible), otherwise in Near Mint condition. Total: 2 bats. Reserve $500. Estimate $1,000/$1,500. SOLD FOR $1,175.00