Bobby Thomson personal model Adirondack bat that was signed years later at an autograph show, with additional inscriptions including "Oct. 3, 1951" and "Ralph Branca", commemorating the famous "Shot Heard 'Round the World."

Value Range

Bobby Thomson signed commemorative bat (no authentication)                   $150-$300
Bobby Thomson signed bat with authentication (PSA/DNA, JSA, Beckett)    $250-$500
Thomson signed bat with inscription "Oct. 3, 1951"                                          $350-$700
Dual-signed Thomson & Ralph Branca bat with authentication                    $500-$1,200+

Why This Could Be More Valuable

​The inscription references one of the most iconic moments in baseball history:

• October 3, 1951
• Bobby Thomson's pennant-winning home run
• Off pitcher Ralph Branca
• Often called the "Shot Heard 'Round the World"

Collectors love pieces that connect both the hitter and pitcher involved in historic events.


Do you have a COA (Certificate of Authenticity)  no

• PSA/DNA
• JSA
• Beckett

Authentic and Dual Signed

• Bobby Thomson signature
• Ralph Branca signature
• "Oct. 3, 1951" inscription
• Authenticated by PSA/JSA/Beckett

​see it marketed in the $800-$1,500 range, depending on auction venue and eye appeal.

Recommend JSA (James Spence Authentication), PSA/DNA, or Beckett Authentication Services (BAS).
Typical costs as of recent autograph-show pricing are:

• Single signature authentication: approximately $30-$75
• Signature with inscription ("Oct. 3, 1951"): often $50-$100
• Dual signatures (Bobby Thomson and Ralph Branca): usually $75-$150
• Full Letter of Authenticity (LOA) rather than a basic sticker/card: often $100-$200+

For your specific bat, I would spend the extra money for:

1. Authentication of both signatures
2. A full LOA

Is it worth authenticating?
In my opinion, yes.
Without authentication, a collector may pay:

• $200-$500

With a respected authentication:

• $500-$1,200+

So spending perhaps $100-$150 on authentication could potentially add several hundred dollars in marketability and value.
One thing that caught my eye
The photo shows:

• Bobby Thomson's signature
• An inscription including "Oct. 3, 1951"
• Ralph Branca's signature
• "Home Run Hero Auction" written on the barrel

​
If this was signed at one of the reunion or memorabilia events where Thomson and Branca appeared together, collectors particularly like those pieces because both participants in baseball's most famous home run are represented.
the Bobby Thomson/Ralph Branca pairing is one of the most collectible pitcher-batter combinations in baseball history.

1. JSA (James Spence Authentication)One of the most respected autograph authentication companies in the hobby. They provide Certificates of Authenticity (COAs), Letters of Authenticity (LOAs), and witness authentication services. [spenceloa.com]
🔗 Official Website:
James Spence Authentication (JSA) [spenceloa.com]
🔗 Verify an Existing JSA Certificate:
JSA Verification [spenceloa.com], [spenceloa.com]

2. PSA/DNAPSA is the world's largest authentication and grading company and is widely accepted by collectors, auction houses, and dealers. PSA/DNA specializes in autograph authentication. [psacard.com]
🔗 Official PSA/DNA Authentication Services:
PSA/DNA Authentication [psacard.com]
🔗 Verify a PSA/DNA Certificate:
PSA Certification Verification [psacard.com]

3. Beckett Authentication Services (BAS)Beckett is another highly respected authenticator, particularly strong in sports memorabilia and trading cards. [ultimateau...graphs.com]
🔗 Beckett Authentication Services:
Beckett Authentication [beckett.com]
Because Beckett's website has periodically undergone infrastructure upgrades, some BAS services and certificate lookups may be routed through temporary pages or updated links. [beckett.com], [beckett-ma...zonaws.com


All three are accepted by the major sports auction houses. [psacard.com], [spenceloa.com], [ultimateau...graphs.com]