19th Century Trophy Balls

[pedodds]

The belle of the ball! I wouldn't expect anything less!! Dripping with history! Everything the man touches turns to gold! The real life Goldfinger! PR

Originally Posted by sphere and ash

This was the first trophy baseball I ever bought, at an estate sale advertised in The New York Times circa 1994. It’s an 1858 game from Pastime of Bedford. I paid $1,000, which brought my net worth to negative $101,000, as I had just graduated from business school. Some things you just know you’ll never see again.

[sphere and ash]

This is an Atlantic trophy ball, likely bisected for display in the rotunda at Ebbets Field. The interior shows just how lively baseballs of the early 1860s were, particularly those made by Harvey Ross of the Atlantic Club.

[aelefson]

Incredible items! I really like seeing the pre 1860 ones, but all are great to view. Pedodds, yes yours is a "Lehigh" ball. I will try to post more information when I talk to the finder of them next month.

Does anyone know the oldest figure eight style trophy ball? Are all of the pre 1867 ones lemon peel? Pedodds, the two you show with the different stitching patterns are awesome.

Alan

[GaryPassamonte]

Alan- My 1865 Unions ball is an "H" style ball. I also had an 1864 trophy ball that was of this style. The 1878 Tecumseh ball is a figure 8 style ball. I'm sure there are a couple NA, 1871-1875, balls that are figure 8 style.

[aelefson]

Thank you Gary! My 1871 is figure eight and I think the other "Lehigh" type balls are the same style.

[sphere and ash]

Originally Posted by aelefson

Thank you Gary! My 1871 is figure eight and I think the other "Lehigh" type balls are the same style.

I just confirmed with the person who discovered the Lehigh trophy case that this ball was found in it. Presumably, it dates to 1870-1871 and represents what the Lehigh trophy baseballs look like unpainted.

[jpop43]

My example from 1867 is of the H-Stitch variety...