I received an email from a Bonds collector asking my opinion on the Barry Bonds multi-HR bat listing on the VintageAuthentics.com current auction.
We have handled several Barry game used bats from 1999 and beyond.
Dave and Troy did a great job in their authentication with their A6 and comments. We will add some additional points for anyone who has not seen a 1999 Bonds game used SAM Maple.
Barry was not taping the 1999's so you wouldn't have the distinctive Bonds tape job so that was consistent with an early 1999 Bonds bat. Cupped end markings according to the COA match factory records. Dating is consistent with a bat to be used on April 13th. The bat has a Bonds sig and hologram.
So far so good until you look at the extra comments---
exhibits no ball marks or stitch marks. Those comments would concern me! This is a Bonds SAM Maple that supposedly was used to smash career HRs 414, 415, and 416----I would expect some
lace marks! Anything is possible. We tried photomatching to HR3 on April 13th (career 414) and beyond. We could not positively photomatch.
On the subject of HR inscriptions, we didn't see HR inscriptions available through Kent Collectibles that exclusively handled Barry's game used bats in 1999. You can verify that through Steve Hoskins or Dan at Kent Collectibles. Also, render your own opinion on the silver paint pen sig vs. the silver paint pen inscriptions (do they look the same?). Hmmmmm.....
We believe this to be an authentic Barry gamer---but personally would not buy it due to the questionable multi-HR inscription and the fact that their is no lace marks.
http://www.vintageauthenticsauctions.com/listings/details/index.cfm?itemnum=806378775
