Vintage Basketball Pen/Pencil Box Scans Added!

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Posted By: Alan Elefson

Hi-
I just found what appears to be an extremely early basketball, wooden pen/pencil box at an antique store in Yankton, SD. It shows a basketball scene with a peach basket visible (it appears to be on a pole without a backboard). It shows a large image of a single player on the right (with a large ball leaving his hand) and it shows 8 smaller players near a single basket and a referee (I am guessing he is a referee as he is wearing a hat).
The box itself is in rough shape as a portion of the court scene is missing and there are three ink stains including one on the large player's face. Also, the latch is missing.
I apologize for this teaser post as I will not be able to post a scan until I return home early Friday morning. In the interim, does any one have one of these or has any one seen one? Any idea on the date of issue, manufacturer, etc.? I researched the history of basketball a little and it appears that backboards were added in the late 1890s and that rims replaced peach baskets by 1910ish. Thank you very much for any help you might be able to provide, and I promise I will post a scan as soon as I return home.
Thanks in advance,
Alan Elefson
aelefson@hotmail.com

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Posted By: CarltonHendricks

Sounds rough, but I'd get it anyway if reasonable. I've never heard of a basketball pencil box...I wish Rob LaHammer would read this, he's a big basketball collector, he would probably know. If I can find his email I'll shoot this link to him. I think Basketball is gonna go even bigger than it is so buy all you can...get a better condition one later...here's my Basketball pick ups from last National, -C
trophy 18" tall

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Posted By: Alan Elefson

Hi-
As promised, here is a scan of the vintage basketball pen/pencil box I found this week. Thanks Carlton for your post (those are incredible early basketball pieces!). Any information regarding this box would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Alan Elefson
aelefson@meditech.com

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Posted By: CarltonHendricks

OK, now I see your enthusiasm, that is a geat pencil box....have never seen it before. Yes even in that condition it's good to see it. Pencil boxes are neat, the baseball one I like is the players walking in a line with the bases hanging from a pole they carry, I remember seeing one for $300 once at an antiques show. I've seen tennis ones, and I think bicycle ones. Below is my only pencil box.

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Posted By: Alan Elefson

Thanks Carlton! Your football box looks great! It looks like these two were made by the same company, based on the scene and colors used. Do you know an approximate date of issue for your box? Based on my quick research thus far (based on the lack of backboard and the peach basket) it appears mine dates to ca. 1896. I am also curious if this is the earliest art depction of a basketball game? I also wonder what the earliest (non Naismith related) basketball artifacts exist today? Any other information folks could provide would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Alan
aelefson@hotmail.com
aelefson@meditech.com