Opinions Wanted....

Tedw9

So I just purchased a 1954 World Series Black Bat (which I am waiting to arrive). The bat is in rough shape, so I got it cheap. It seems that some fool used it! It seems to have a few dings and such, and most of the gold lettering is gone.

I bought this piece just to display, and to be able to say I have one. (I'm a small time collector with a limited budget.) I was thinking of hitting the craft store and picking up some gold paint to fill in the names again just so it would look nicer displayed.

Am I even more foolish than the person who used this bat or would you do restore it too?

ToppsCo1lector

You'd be the fool to restore it. Not in any trying to pull a RichG on ya Ted, but I wouldn't even want a baseball bat in my collection if it didn't have some game "wear" on it. Then again, I have no idea what a world series bat is.

poppie

Enjoy the bat anyway you like! Personally I would restore it if I had the skills...... ie I can't ever color between the lines !

baseballfanatic

If you are going to keep it, you might as well do something with it. It really isnt a problem to get the patina back my using Old Enlish where its gone down to raw wood and than some Liquid Gold to polish it up. After those two quick fixes, assess what needs to be done and take it from there......

larryallen73

To me it depends on value and/or possible future value. If a "low value" item (everybody has a different definition) I may consider restoring it. However, a high dollar item is probably better off in "original" condition. That's how I see it from a value perspective. On the other hand, I am a big collector of things as they are and thus I personally would leave it in the current condition. Enjoy it whatever you decide.

Tedw9

Thank you all for the feedback! Here is the link to the bat with some pics.




World Series Black Bat


ToppsCo1lector, a World Series Black Bats are given to each teams players and management to commerate the World Series. There are about 100-150 produced for each team. The bats are black with gold lettering on the names. Most are very expensive (by my standards), but you can pick up newer bats for a bit less.

ROCKDJRW

nice buy! I say restore it and enjoy the display.

tkd7

Have a crack at restoring it. Other hobbies tolerate restoration (cars, comic books, movie posters, etc....) so its not a bad thing. It isn't a unique item, sounds like you didn't pay too much for it, and it will be a fun project. Since it crossed your mind already, sounds like you are leaning towards restoring it.

lawnmowerman

Ted, If you plan on keeping it then go ahead and fix it up. I dont see anything wrong with that.

Matt

baseballfanatic

You'll have no problem matching up the gold paint at any hobby store or even home depot or local paint store. The bats had pretty deep stamping so it will be a piece of cake to fill in whats missing. Nice buy and enjoy your new project....

jimq112

Restore it but take a LOT of good pictures before you do anything to it and then maybe make a photo album as you go. I used to do that with camaros and it usually helped sell them when it was time for them to go.

chaz43

<< <i>So I just purchased a 1954 World Series Black Bat (which I am waiting to arrive). The bat is in rough shape, so I got it cheap. It seems that some fool used it! It seems to have a few dings and such, and most of the gold lettering is gone.

I bought this piece just to display, and to be able to say I have one. (I'm a small time collector with a limited budget.) I was thinking of hitting the craft store and picking up some gold paint to fill in the names again just so it would look nicer displayed.

Am I even more foolish than the person who used this bat or would you do restore it too? >>




Don't touch it! chaz

storm888

I know about being tempted to "restore" stuff.

It is a good temptation to resist, IMO.

A clean wet-rag is all that would touch it,
if it was mine.

If you go the furniture-polish route: Use ONLY
about one-drop on a paper-towel to get started.
If you put more than a few drops total, you have
a good chance of turning it into a slippery-shiney
mess; clean water on a rag is really the best road.

If you still cannot resist: Do NOT polish the thing
until AFTER you have done the gold paint thing.
The gold model paint does not stick well to
furniture polish. After its painted, use the paper towel
with a TINY drop of polish and work close to the gold indents,
BUT not inside the indents.

Once an item has been restored, it is a "restored item."
That does not appeal to most folks.

It is not about the value of the bat. It is about "original"
vs. "restored."

storm

Stone193

Hi Ted

I'm willing to bet that the gold was "applied" as opposed to painted on.

I would consider going to a printing shop and see if they can direct you to someone who does that kind of "fill in" work.

Unless you are extremely gifted - I think you may be disappointed with your restoration.

Since you paid only 40$, you can't go wrong with whatever you choose. A nm copy would probably be worth in the 800$ range?

The purist in me says - this is the way the piece was 'handled' and would be best left in that condition.

But, I do think it could be very nicely restored if the proper technique were applied.

Good luck
mike

XanaduNow

Probably a stupid question, but ... is there any way to tell whose bat it was? I bet that thing's got quite a story to tell.

Stone193

<< <i>Probably a stupid question, but ... is there any way to tell whose bat it was? I bet that thing's got quite a story to tell. >>


I think it would have been really cool if they would've put the player's name to whom the bat was awarded.

Then again, most of them went to non-players anyways.

mike

Tedw9

Thank you everyone for the input. You all made good points, and after thinking it over and considering what you all said, I think I will keep the bat as is. Yeah, it is beat up, but it's still a sweet piece. Thanks again everyone.