Pre-1870 Baseball Memorabilia

[bgar3]

George Wright's copy of the 1861 Ballplayer's Pocket Companion. Sorry, don't know how to straighten them.

[arcadekrazy]

This ought to be a great thread. I don't know how long it will last as im not sure how much pre (civil) war material still exists, but I'm looking forward to it!

[bgar3]

Thank you Leon.

[GaryPassamonte]

Great ball and great book. Museum quality.
I know this stuff is rare, but I thought we might get a few more

[jpop43]

1850s/ 1860s belt used by both baseball players and firemen of the era. Belts like these were in fashion for both of these closely aligned groups in the mid 19th C. (see the image of the 1860 Bklyn Excelsiors) . This one just happens to be from NY (per mfg. info which is the same mfg. of the Baraboo BBC belt in the HoF ) and reflects the name "Excelsiors". While no definitive claim can be made that it was specifically used for baseball, such a claim cannot specifically be refuted either.

[bgar3]

Gary, I was hoping for more also. In the interest of keeping it going I am including a stereoview that has been described in articles and books as being from 1858, depicting the only known image of the Massachusett's game in action. Unfortunately, my research places this as about 1863, and I do not dispute that it is probably the Massachusett's game, but I have no way of knowing if others exist.

[Bill Rayburn]

Hey guys, great stuff. I love this thread also. I am not so sure about this bat, maybe late 1860's. I thought someone might be able to pinpoint it for me. It is 38 1/2" long, straight taper with a small round knob, no mfg label, barrel end is 2 3/8" dia. The handle is painted from the knob up about 15" on the handle. I am not sure what kind of wood but it is a beautiful grain pattern.

[ruth-gehrig]

Really great items guys! I will post these 2 that could possibly fit the specified time period.

[khkco4bls]

Here is my belt style ball. Notice the intricate red stitching. I always wondered what this was made from