This was sent to me from Robert Edwards Auctions
What do y'all think?
Eric
Eric,
We are way to busy working on the catalog to actually post and message boards can be difficult in that if you respond to one thing your almost obligated to respond to all. We are very much in tune with issues relating to authenticity and how auctions should be run. You might be interested in seeing the catalog intro to bats and bat grading which will appear in the upcoming catalog:
Robert Edward Auctions Adopts SCD Authentic Grading Scale For Bats
Robert Edward Auctions has always been “ahead of the curve” with reference to all issues relating to the auction process, including issues relating to the process of authenticity, conflicts of interest, the integrity of the bidding process, and even terminology. Years ago when we started describing all game bats as simply “professional model” bats, as opposed to “game-used bats,” our approach was met with a very chilly reception. Collectors and dealers were very unsupportive regarding this terminology. Hundreds of conversations were had with collectors all over the country about bats we were offering, requiring us to explain that, while of course these were most likely game-used bats, there was no way to know with certainty the precise history of use of any given game bat (short of having a video tape of the given bat from its time of use until today, which of course is absurd, or having meaningful and iron-clad photo documentation, which is rarely possible).
Our point was that there was no way to know if perhaps a given bat was used only in batting practice, or given away as a gift, having never been used at all, or borrowed by another player for use, etc. The popular nomenclature of the bat collecting world has always been to call all bats which show any use “game-used.” Of course, most are game-used by the given player; but it is also true that it can often be very difficult or impossible to distinguish game-used bats from those intended for use, but never actually used by the player in a Major League game.
We are delighted to report that SCD Authentic has adopted our preferred approach to describing bats, and is separately addressing all issues relating to use with a comprehensive report, summarized by an SCD Authentic grade. With the support of SCD Authentic, you will see that all bats in our catalogs will be titled “Professional Model” bats and, over time, we believe this terminology, combined with SCD Authentic’s bat grading scale, will become the standard for defining and describing player bats in the future. All bats are not the same. The SCD Authentic grading scale is not about the “condition” of the bat, but about all qualities of the bat, with an emphasis on authenticity and likelihood of player use. Rather than try to describe the details of the SCD Authentic approach to grading bats, we will provide in our catalog a summary of the factors considered and their impact on grading as provided by SCD Authentic.
One thing collectors will appreciate is that the grading of bats is far more objective than that of other collectibles, such as cards and autographs. There is little room for subjectivity in this process (such as the potentially subjective interpretation of a bat as having “light use” versus “medium” or “heavy” use). All bats which have been ordered by a given player specifically to that player’s specifications and sent to that player start out with an SCD Authentic grade of “A5.” Points are added or subtracted due to consideration of many well-defined factors, each with a specific grading impact. A bat which receives a grade of “A8” is, essentially, as good as a bat can get. Grades higher than “A8” are assigned only under special circumstances to allow a bat with significant documented provenance, or with a signature, to be recognized as such; as all things being equal, such a bat is more desirable. We hope this brief explanation of the SCD Authentic grading process”) will prove useful to collectors. All Babe Ruth bats, or Pete Rose bats, or bats of any given player of any specific style, are not equal.
Robert Edward Auctions salutes SCD Authentic for breaking new and extremely significant ground in the authentication process of bats. The SCD Authentic grading scale for bats is revolutionary. All collectors can now be provided with an intelligent and objective approach to appreciating the distinctions between player bats, presented in an accessible and concrete form, that in the past, in many cases, have been understood by only the few most sophisticated collectors in the world. Robert Edward Auctions is honored to play a small role in promoting the efforts of SCD Authentic. We believe that in a very short time these efforts will be universally recognized as having a profound and very positive impact on the field for all collectors.
Also, you might find the following description interesting on our Rodgriguez bat:
2004 Alex Rodriguez NY Yankees Signed Pro Model Bat
This uncracked Louisville Slugger signature model "G174" bat shows evidence of outstanding game use with bat rack, stitch, and blue ball transfer marks on the barrel. There is a heavy coat of pine tar on the handle with grass and dirt particles stuck to the pine tar. It has been signed and inscribed by Rodriguez in blue Sharpie ("10") on the sweet spot of the barrel, "Alex Rodriguez/Game Used 2004." We have not been able to find a single photograph of Rodriguez using this style bat in 2004 games, though we have found many photos of Rodriguez using this style bat in batting practice. In actual games in 2004, Rodriguez used black Louisvilles, white Old Hickorys, and Sam bats, though it is possible that he used G174 Louisville Slugger models such as this in a few games. We believe that when Alex Rodriguez writes "game-used" on G175 model bats he is including use in batting practice. Length: 33.75 inches. Weight: 32 ounces. SCD Authentic Grade: A10. Accompanied with an LOA (signed by Rodriguez) and corresponding hologram label (affixed to the barrel) from AROD Authenticated. Additional LOAs from Dave Bushing/SCD Authentic, and James Spence, Steve Grad, John Taube & Vince Malta/PSA DNA. Reserve $400. Estimate $800/$1,200.
Your're welcome to share our intro with the board if you would like, but would rather keep Rodgriguez description confidential til catalog is released (it might ruffle a few feathers). Our auction is tentatively scheduled to be shipped in April for an April 30 closing (this is not in stone but that's the schedule). We have 73 bats (including Ruth. Cobb, Gehrig, and Maris) and about 20 uniforms. The key to the future of vintage bat and uniform collecting is the authentication process, and there is a lot that is happening (by SCD Authentic) which is very positive. I believe the "self-authenticators" are trying to undermine their efforts because they cannot possibly pay restitution for all the bad material they have sold over the years, so by attacking the authenticators they serve their interests. That's the main thing that is going on in the background of all the issues and attacks on SCD Authentic in my opinion, for what it's worth.
As a collector of all things baseball I applaud Robert Edwards Auctions and their fine staff for FINALLY taking a stand and putting into print what this hobby has long needed to be said. Their honesty and integrity puts them head and shoulders above all else.
Finally, an auctioneer who will acknowledge that just because a player writes something like "game-used" on an item does not make it so. Bravo. This is sure to ruffle many feathers and there will be many who do not like this but the hobby will be all the better for it!
Thanks Eric for the posting. It is nice seeing an auction company putting the SCDA Bat rating in the description. I have seen so many auctions with a reference to a SCDA Bushing COA and "game use" but they fail to mention the rating. Nothing more frustrating then paying top dollar only to get the bat and find it to be a 6!
