Stunning ring-style trophy bat, measuring 32" in length and weighing just 21.9 ounces. The bat is a rich, amber color, the top three inches stained a darker red. A stripe of gold paint rings the center, into which is inscribed "EAGLE PRIZE BAT" and "BROOKLYN WRITER'S NINE."  Though the bat does exhibit a few dings, scratches and minor chips, it is in outstanding condition, clean and more than worthy of display. 

"Eagle Prize," coupled with "Brooklyn Writer's Nine" could, of course, refer to writers for the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, the celebrated newspaper where baseball pioneer Henry Chadwick spent the tail end of his sportswriting career. There are multiple recorded examples of games between teams of sportswriters, dating as early as the 1860s. An August, 1866 piece in the Brooklyn Eagle chronicles the end of such an event as follows:

 "A prize bat was offered by Mr. Chadwick, to the one making the best score on the Typographical side. Bergen was the lucky recipient, having made nine runs with 'nary an out."

The style of bat is consistent with the ring bats popular in the 1880s and 1890s, and no direct link to Chadwick can be found with this trophy bat. However, we do feel the Brooklyn Eagle connection is likely, given the reference to "Brooklyn Writers" and "Eagle Prize" printed on the bat. Additionally, given the fact that there are written accounts of Chadwick presenting teams of writers with trophy bats in the 1860s, and it is entirely plausible that he continued this practice. As such, we cannot rule out a Chadwick connection with this very bat.  Regardless, it is a tremendous document, a beautiful trophy bat likely dating to the 1880s, likely awarded to writers for the Brooklyn Eagle, in outstanding condition.