Witte Hardware baseball glove

Otto H. Witte came to St. Louis in 1862 and entered the hardware firm of F.E. Schmieding and Co. in St. Louis, Missouri. Otto and his brother F.A. Witte later bought out that firm in 1873. The firm became F.A. Witte and Co. in 1874 and finally Witte Hardware Company in 1880. Through the years Witte Hardware wholesale catalogs included: tools, hardware, stoves, cutlery, plumbing, electrical supplies, etc... and sporting goods.

Witte Hardware St. Louis baseball gloves feature the “Witte IXL Square” trademark which was placed on only high quality hardware. The "IXL" lettering is an abbreviation of "I excel" Signature model baseball gloves include: Lewis W. Berger No. 55; Riggs Stephenson No. 15; Pee Wee Reese model PWR, Fielders gloves.

Based on trade advertising and catalog listings the gloves date as early as 1912 through the 1920s. The few baseball gloves that have surfaced in the hobby date no later than the 1940s.

Witte Hardware Baseball Gloves

1912 Witte Hardware Co. Ad

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