Help with glove background
ugaskidawg
Posts: 882 ✭✭✭
I picked up an old glove today at a flea market/antique mall. I got it because it was super cheap and I was looking for decor for my man cave area. I'm struggling getting much information on this thing. I imagine it is a junior glove or pro model that was used by the general public. I doubt it is game used by the actual player, but I may be wrong.
It has "Dick Bartell" stamped into the palm, with Spalding's logo and the number "242." I have not really found any info on the glove outside that.
Richard "Dick" Bartell - also known as "Rowdy Richard" - played for various teams from 1927-1946. He played for the Pirates, Phillies, Giants, Cubs, and Tigers. He was a lifetime .284 hitter with over 2,100 hits. He made 2 AS games, had votes in multiple years for the MVP, and played in 3 WS.
Here is one that I found that was similar, but the backs are different. Mine is a buckle-back, whereas this one is a button-back. Mine looks older than this one, but am clueless. They say this is 1940s.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/382094680641
Then I ran across this catchers mitt that the sellers say is from the 1920s. It has the same style buckle back.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/252580189462
Here are the photos of my glove...any info would be greatly appreciated. Whatever the story on this glove, it had tons of use. Thanks!
Comments
http://www.gasolinealleyantiques.com/sports/baseball/images/gloves/glove-bartell1.JPG
Bartell, Dick. His nicknames were Rowdy Richard and Shortwave. Beautiful Spaulding buckle back. adult size. He played from 1927 until 1930 with the Pittsburgh Pirates; 1931 thru 1934 with the Philadelphia Phillies; 1935 thru 1938 with the New York Giants; 1939 with the Chicago Cubs; 1940-41 Detroit Tigers; 1941-1946 with the New York Giants. No rips, no tears. original owner carved a "B" on the strap. leather is supple. clean. overall excellent or nicer! 189.50
Very cool! Thanks. Did not find that in my searching. Appreciate the help!
Would love to know what year this is if anyone knows.
The Spalding Dick Bartell Model #242 was a part of their retail catalog from 1939-1941 and was at the lower end of the pricing scale for Fielders gloves. In 1939 it was offered for $5.30, in 1940 the price dropped to $5.25, and in 1941 it was offered for a flat $5.00, then in 1942 the Bartell Model was renumbered as 142 and offered for $8.00 .
This info comes from a 2004 issued Vintage Baseball Glove Catalog Source Book by Joe Phillips in Dallas, TX. If you hustle old vintage gloves, you might want to try and find a used catalog somewhere, I doubt they are still publishing them anymore. I've found mine to be quite useful for research purposes. LMK if you ever need any help on a glove, glad to look it up for you.