Interesting items. Baseball was primarily a game for children and youths until 1840-1850, and most small lemonpeels and belt balls date from that time period, or earlier. But your small ball appears to be a figure eight, dating to post 1870-1880, may be additionally dated to the later date based on what looks like it being a harder ball. Balls got progressively harder until finally we, unfortunately, needed mitts, c.1880-1895. So I think you have either some unusual salesman sample or child's baseball from c.1880-1890. The other ball appears to be a rural made, softer, four piece? (hard to see in the photos) lemon peel baseball c.1860, better made ones had three interior sticthes, one exterior, and even better if made of one, instead of four, pieces of leather. Nice pickups.
Last edited by BigJJ; 11-01-2012 at 07:59 PM.
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