It depends a great deal on what (if anything) is stamped on the knob of the bat. It also depends greatly on the length of the bat and the year of manufacture. Ruth game used bats are usually 35-36 inches long and bats from early in his career are worth more than bats from later in his career. Store model bat Ruth bats regularly sell for $200-500, while game used bats command much higher price tags.
Babe Ruth 125 Louisville SluggerThe "125" refers to the grade of wood used to make the bat. 125 is the highest grade store model bat and is reserved for all pro level bats.
In general a Babe Ruth store model bat could be worth between $200. -$500. Besides condition there are many factors that will effect the price more or less. Baseball bats closest to the players size and model number that was used during his playing days will sell at a higher price. Decal bats are very desirable and could sell in the $1,000.'s
The dating of the bat is one of the most important factors on value along with condition. Hillerich & Bradsby Co. Louisville Slugger has used different oval center brands in their history. By identifying the center label, trade marks, and patens you can narrow down the year to what era the bat was made.
For example: a bat made between 1916 - 1929 will have HILLERERICH & BRADSBY Co in the center label as opposed to J.F. HILLERERICH & SON Co as the bats made before. TRADE MARK REG US PAT OFF appears below the oval and changed to TRADE MARK REG in 1930.
"Bone Rubbed" is a process to harden the surface of the bat and appears on bats made in the 1920s The "Powerized" process was first used, and patented by the Hillerich & Bradsby Co. in 1931 and has pat. pending beneath the stamp. Powerized and Bone Rubbed" logo is used during the 1932 season. In 1933 and 1934 you will see it stamped "Powerized and Oil Tempered" which usually is a very light heat foil type print. in 1935 until present, they go with just "Powerized"
During the 1980's Louisville Slugger issued these replicas of Babe Ruth's last style bat, and stamped 1935 on the knob. The majority of these were sold through a mail order company called J. Petterman and listed at around $100. Yes. The same J. Petterman catalogue featured on the television comedy series Seinfeld. These replica bats sell for about $55.-$125, on eBay.
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You did not mention the size of the bat, condition, and if the bat was endorsed by a player. Baseball bats without a player endorsement will have low collectors value, and as such value will rely on special vintage bat features such as decals, mushroom knobs, ornate engraving, etc.
The dating of the bat is one of the most important factors on value along with condition. Hillerich & Bradsby Co. Louisville Slugger has used different oval center brands in their history. By identifying the center label, trade marks, and patens you can narrow down the year to what era the bat was made.
For example: a bat made between 1916 - 1929 will have HILLERERICH & BRADSBY Co in the center label as opposed to J.F. HILLERERICH & SON Co as the bats made before. TRADE MARK REG US PAT OFF appears below the oval and changed to TRADE MARK REG in 1930.
"Bone Rubbed" is a process to harden the surface of the bat and appears on bats made in the 1920s The "Powerized"process was first used, and patented by the Hillerich & Bradsby Co. in 1931 and has pat. pending beneath the stamp. Powerized and Bone Rubbed" logo is used during the 1932 season. In 1933 and 1934 you will see it stamped "Powerized and Oil Tempered" which usually is a very light heat foil type print. in 1935 until present, they go with just "Powerized"
See Related links below for help on dating your bat.
A Joe DiMaggio 125S Louisville Slugger store model bat is worth between $50.-$75. in used but not abused condition to $100.-$200. in excellent-near/mint condition depending on the dating of the bat. Older bats in near/mint - mint condition will sell for more.
The age of the bat will be a factor on value. for example; if the bat was made during the 1948 - 1963 labeling period indicated by "REG US PAT OFF" below the center label it will sell at a higher range than a bat made during the 1964-1980 labeling period. Bats made before the 1948 labeling period will have the highest value.
The S after 125 stands for Special and might have the word Special above the Joe DiMaggio name on the barrel. The size of the bat will also effect the value.
The bulk of the value on a collectible baseball bat relies on the player endorsement. without a player endorsement the value will rely on vintage bat features like a mushroom knob, decal, or ornamental engraving. You did not mention if the bat was endorsed. Besides condition there are many factors that will effect the price more or less. Baseball bats closest to the players size and model number that was used during his playing days will sell at a higher price. Decal bats are very desirable and could sell in the $1,000.'s
The dating of the bat is one of the most important factors on value along with condition. Hillerich & Bradsby Co. Louisville Slugger has used different oval center brands in their history. By identifying the center label, trade marks, and patens you can narrow down the year to what era the bat was made.
For example: a bat made between 1916 - 1929 will have HILLERERICH & BRADSBY Co in the center label as opposed to J.F. HILLERERICH & SON Co as the bats made before. TRADE MARK REG US PAT OFF appears below the oval and changed to TRADE MARK REG in 1930.
"Bone Rubbed" is a process to harden the surface of the bat and appears on bats made in the 1920s The "Powerized"process was first used, and patented by the Hillerich & Bradsby Co. in 1931 and has pat. pending beneath the stamp. Powerized and Bone Rubbed" logo is used during the 1932 season. In 1933 and 1934 you will see it stamped "Powerized and Oil Tempered" which usually is a very light heat foil type print. in 1935 until present, they go with just "Powerized"
I will leave a link below to help you date your Louisville Slugger bat.
With Louisville slugger bats in short, if your bat has the size stamped into the knob it is a store model bat. This is placed there to help the buyer identify the size of the bat. A bat closest in size, and mode to the bat a player used during his career will have a higher value.
In general a Babe Ruth store model bat could be worth between $200. -$500. Besides condition there are many factors that will effect the price more or less. Baseball bats closest to the players size and model number that was used during his playing days will sell at a higher price. Decal bats are very desirable and could sell in the $1,000.'s
The dating of the bat is one of the most important factors on value along with condition. Hillerich & Bradsby Co. Louisville Slugger has used different oval center brands in their history. By identifying the center label, trade marks, and patens you can narrow down the year to what era the bat was made.
For example: a bat made between 1916 - 1929 will have HILLERERICH & BRADSBY Co in the center label as opposed to J.F. HILLERERICH & SON Co as the bats made before. TRADE MARK REG US PAT OFF appears below the oval and changed to TRADE MARK REG in 1930.
"Bone Rubbed" is a process to harden the surface of the bat and appears on bats made in the 1920s The "Powerized"process was first used, and patented by the Hillerich & Bradsby Co. in 1931 and has pat. pending beneath the stamp. Powerized and Bone Rubbed" logo is used during the 1932 season. In 1933 and 1934 you will see it stamped "Powerized and Oil Tempered" which usually is a very light heat foil type print. in 1935 until present, they go with just "Powerized"