Holy Grail of 19th Century Baseball Memorabilia

[GaryPassamonte]

In the past we've had discussions on the card side as to what we considered the Holy Grail of 19th century baseball cards. I don't think this topic has ever been discussed on the memorabilia side and is probably much more difficult to answer. Is it a trophy bat, trophy ball, photograph, uniform or something else?

[barrysloate]

Just to get the ball rolling, one of mine is the mammoth plate photo of the 1860 Brooklyn Excelsiors that resides in the Spalding Collection. I guess the reason it is still there is that it is too big to steal. But I've seen it a number of times in person and it is truly awe inspiring.

I probably could come up with a few others, but that photo suffices.

[jpop43]

Great question, Gary, and one I'm sure that can/will be debated to no end.

That being said, the items that always come to mind for me are the uniform buttons from the original Kinckerbocker Base Ball Club uniform of Lucius "Doc" Adams...the true father of baseball.

These spectacular items are still, thankfully, in the possession of the Adams family and I know that their caretaker couldn't be more protective of them or aware of their historical value.

So, my nod my go to these priceless buttons...the only surviving pieces of uniform from the original Knickerbocker Base Ball Club.

They can be seen here...
http://docadamsbaseball.org/photo-ga...iform-buttons/

Jonathan
www.dugouttreasures.com

[bgar3]

I would like to nominate the Rules of Base Ball manuscript, also related to Doc Adams that was recently auctioned.

[ksfarmboy]

Gary that’s a great question that would be difficult to answer with so many incredible historical items to choose from. Especially difficult compared to cards that multiples exist of what are considered grails. Being a Kansas collector the one item to me that I would consider our grail is the oldest known piece. It’s an 1867 trophy baseball with case. Simply an amazing item to me.

[ooo-ribay]

The San Francisco Giants didn't exist in the 19th century.....ergo, there is no 19th century Holy Grail.