Cap Anson played his last game in 1897. He gave in memory to one of his daughters his last bat and his uniform.
The uniform was later damaged and disappeared. The bat remained in his descent until 2005. It was sold for $ 287K including premium by Heritage on August 5, 2010 and for $ 430K including premium by Christie's on October 19, 2016. It is now listed as lot 3 by Goldin Auctions. The bidding opens on July 9 and will close as a live auction in New Jersey on August 2.
This bat is extremely rare by its correlation with one of the best players of the nineteenth century, its heavy game use and its exceptional family provenance. It was graded GU 10 by PSA/DNA.
It is also a very early example of a Louisville Slugger by J. F. Hillerich and Son. The name had been deposed only three years before, after a few years of experience by the younger Hillerich in his new specialty. Before this industrial initiative which would considerably facilitate the standardization, the manufacture of the bats was left to the initiative of the players.
The mark inscribed in the wood and its position are specific to the year 1897, correlating perfectly the family tradition according to which it was the last professional bat of the champion.
This 36-inch bat was incised by Anson on 13.5 inches long by a pattern of about 145 notches for improving the grip. This refinement however did not save the end of Anson's career, fired from his own team for his incompetence after too long a tenure.
SOLD for $ 350K including premium
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