Exceptional 1939-1943 Bobby Doerr Boston Red Sox Game-Used Bat PSA/DNA GU10 - Vault Marked and Factory Side Written

Sold For:

$42,000

Year:

1939

Auction:

2022 Fall

Lot #:

2392

Category:

Post-1900 Baseball Memorabilia

Extremely rare Bobby Doerr H&B vault-marked and side-written bat dating from the 1939-1943 manufacturing period. Graded GU 10 by PSA/DNA. The bat features the name "Bobby Doerr" stamped on the barrel in script letters. The most distinguishing feature of this bat, and which allows for exact dating, is the bold side writing on the barrel. Side writing is of great significance to collectors as it places a bat directly into the hands of the player so named. When players returned bats to the H&B factory (to be used as templates for future orders), identifying notations including the player's name would be written in grease pencil on the side of the bat by an employee and stored in the vaults for future reference. In that regard, side writing on bats is recognized by the most sophisticated collectors as being the equivalent of having a letter of authenticity from the player himself. According to the written notations here, Doerr returned this bat to the factory in 1943. The writing on the barrel reads "Bobby Doerr 2-15-43 Boston AMER.LEA.BC." The bat, which has a handle crack, displays evidence of heavy use, including several ball marks and ball-stitch impressions. There are also cleat marks visible on the barrel. The handle has evidence of tape removal and a moderate coat of pine tar. The model number "D34VM" is vault marked on the knob and top barrel. Doerr batted over .300 on three separate occasions, including a career-high .325 in 1944, and retired in 1951 with a .288 average. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1986. Bobby Doerr bats are exceedingly rare. This is not only one of just three we have ever seen but the finest example as well. Length: 35 inches. Weight: 33.8 ounces. Full LOA from John Taube of PSA/DNA (corresponding sticker affixed to the barrel end). The size/weight of this item requires that there will be an additional shipping charge for this lot. Reserve $5,000.