| |
 |
|
| |
|
|
-
MANUFACTURER
- Hillerich &
Bradsby Co.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Established in 1901, the Hutchinson
brothers, Stanley F, and Heber H., set
up shop on state Avenue in Cincinnati
for the manufacture of shaft straps for
buggies. When the automobile came along, the Hutchinson Bros. Leather company
then located at 1928 W. Eighth Street
made leather upholstery for cars. In
time the company abandoned the
upholstery business.
The firm also got into the business of
making furniture leather. But the
manufacture of these products resulted
in leftover pieces of leather, too
small or the wrong shape for use.
Stanley Hutchinson then got the idea of making
footballs. The first order was for 50
dozen in 1922. The company then started
to make basketballs. Gradually the line
was expanded. And what started as
strictly a sideline became the
company's main line.
Using the trade name of "Hutch" it became world famous for sporting goods
of all kinds. By 1933, baseball
equipment was added, which included
baseball bats. During WWII The
Hutchinson Bros. Leather Co.
contributed to the National Defense
Program, by making various accessories
for use in trench warfare. In addition,
they made sporting equipment for the
Army, contributing to good morale and
physical fitness. Hutchinson
Bros., a manufacture of leather goods had their bats
made by the Hillerich & Bradsby Co.
Due to the lack of catalog
information, dating the bats are
estimated based on player endorsements.
The earliest baseball bat branding,
pictured above dates to about the 1940s, through the 1950s. The label
features the word "Hutch" with an
extended "T" The first bats feature the
model number at the top, and include
block letter last name "Player Style"
endorsements; DiMaggio Style, Ott
Style, Doerr Style. Some bats also have a
"Circuit Driver Tempered stamp.
By 1957 the model number is at the bottom, and feature full name block
letter endorsements which includes,
Richie Ashburn, Ted Kluszewski, Duke
Snider, Yogi Berra, Mickey
Mantle, and Ted Williams. Models
include, as listed in the 1957 catalog;
No. 400, No. 260, No. PM Player Model,
No. 999 Full Size, 366 Junior Size, Nos
90, 93, 100, 130, and 300 Softball
bats. These model numbers were also
used on models from the 1940s through
to the 1970s.
By the 1960s the model numbers were placed within the oval, Below "Hutch."
which is redesigned with a shorter "T."
the word "Tempered" is also added to
the right of the label on some bats.
Full name block letter "Player Model"
endorsement include; Roger Hornsby,
Jackie Robinson, Henry Aaron, Brooks Robinson, Al Kaline, Roger Maris, Eddie Mathews,
Nelson Fox,
Pete Rose, Tommy Davis, and Willie
Horton.
In 1971 Fuqua Industries acquired the Hutch Athletic Goods Co., as it was
named by 1967. The Hutch Athletic Goods
Co. Model No.'s are the same as the
Hutchinson Bros. baseball bats. Block
letter endorsements also include
Roberto Clemente, Carl Yastrzemski,
Tony Oliva, and Curt Flood,
|
|
| |
|
Hutchinson Brothers Baseball Bats |
 |
 |
|
1940s-1950s Extended
"T" Center Brand |
1960s-1970s Redesigned
"T" Center Brand |
|
|
 |
 |
| 1957 Hutchinson Bros. Leather Co. Catalog |
1972 Hutch Athletic Goods Catalog |
|
|
 |
|
1972 Hutch Athletic Goods
Catalog |
|
|
KEYMAN COLLECTIBLES
RELATED RESOURCES |
|
|
|
