Larry "Yogi"Berra

[yanks12025]

Hi
I found this glove today and cant really find anything about. I dont believe it's a gamer but i believe its a very model glove. It's a all-star model, Twin-Flex. It also has a Form Pocket. Spalding, MADE IN U.S.A 42-739. It has a WEB LOCK. This glove also has the spalding label on the back. This glove is in great shape 10 out of a 10. Does anyone know the value and other things about it. Thanks

[BretMan]

Spalding began using the five-digit numbering sequence of "42-XXX" on their gloves in 1961. Prior to that, and back to the early 50's, they used a four-digit model number.

The Berra-endorsed 42-739 appears in the 1965 Spalding catalog, though it is not specified as an "All-Star" model. A similar model, the 42-737 is listed as an "All-Star" model in their 1961 catalog. Quite possibly these are the same pattern and style, as they both sold for about the same price.

Yogi was a longtime endorser of Spalding mitts, starting as far back as 1949 and continuing even past his playing days. Mitts bearing his signature were being sold right through the late 70's, long after he had retired.

And why not! Yogi was definitely one of the all-time greats at his position, a clutch player who played on many champioship teams for perhaps the most storied sports franchise in history. In short, his popularity helped Spalding sell a lot of baseball gloves!

Back to your mitt: The 42-739 had a suggested retail price of about $13, which put it in the lower range of mitts produced by Spalding. Of the dozen-or-so models offered that year, $25 was the median price. Others ranged from $7 for their cheaply-made kid's models up to $44 for their top-of-the-line, professional-quality mitts- which, by the way were also endorsed by Yogi!

Generally, the higher-quality, better-made gloves and mitts are the most collectible. While Berra has a huge fan base (demand), the fact that his gloves were produced in abundance, for so many years (supply) makes them easy to come by.

Book values for mid-quality, adult-sized Berra-endorsed mitts are as follows: $30/$55/$120 for, repectively, "very good/excellent/near mint" conditions. Those figures could adjust either up or down- up for older models or professional-quality mitts in great condition, down for later models or more cheaply constructed ones showing a lot of wear.