Rare early 35” small signature version Hank Aaron professional model bat from 1959-1960. Louisville Slugger factory records show that Aaron’s first order of the Model S-2 was on 5-21-1958. Aaron’s first orders for the S-2 were at 35 ½” inches. He went to a 35” version for the 1958 World Series. Subsequent orders for the S-2 at 35” during this labeling period can be found on 2-27-59 and 4-28-60. The bat exhibits ball marks and swelling on both sides of the barrel. Accompanying this bat is a LOA from Jeff Thomas stating that his grandfather, Fred, was a former MLB player who, in 1959, got this Aaron bat from Eddie Mathews. This provenance is consistent with both the general labeling period of the bat as well as well as the information contained in Aaron’s personal production information.
While Aaron’s orders for the S-2 are quite rare, they are also significant in that the S2 was the basis of Aaron’s A96 ordered on 5-9-59. The bat was a modification of the this S2 model with a requested smaller handle. This became known as the A96. Aaron would continue to use the S-2 and the A-93 until 1961 when the mainstay lumber of the rest of his career, the A-99, was produced off of an Adirondack model bat.
The visual appeal is striking and the grade high at 8.5. (Provenance LOA states that Jeff briefly used the bat as a boy (minus 1 point), but the stitch marks and swelling are from Major League use based on the force required to leave the imprints present today). Of the seven H&B Hank Aaron professional model bats in the MEARS census from the 1950-1960 labeling period, only one grades higher than this offering. By means of comparison, this same census shows some twenty-three Aaron bats in the marketplace from the decade of the 1960s.
Solid long term value based on player, condition, time frame, and availability of comparable product. When the hammer falls for this auction, you’ll want this bat of “Hammerin Hank” in your collection.
At the time of publication, this bat was one of only 4 total 1950s Hank Aaron player model bats evaluated by MEARS. The total population graded 9.5, 8.5 (this bat), 8.0, and finally 7.5. This bat is one of only 4 known bats from the most prolific decade of Aaron's career, and the second highest example graded from the golden 1950s era.
Sold for $8,500 in 2007.
Collection of MEARS Staff