Pre-1870 Baseball Memorabilia

[ruth-gehrig]

Did you originally have this one Steve??

[oldjudge]

I guess this should count in the pre-Civil War category, an 1859 Unions of Morrisiana v. Excelsiors trophy ball. For those unfamiliar with the Unions, they played in what later became The Bronx, about a mile from the current Yankee Stadium.

[GaryPassamonte]

Nice ball, Jay, and nice presentation with the box and flag motiff.

Here is one that I don't know if I've ever shown. It is an 1864 trophy ball commemorating the first Silver Ball Championship in Boston. The Tri-Mountains defeated the Osceolas from Maine 53-18. I've included a page from an article written in 1905 that shows the ball in the lower right.

[bgar3]

Those trophy balls are terrific. Glad the thread is continuing.

[vintagesportscollector]

Originally Posted by bgar3

Those trophy balls are terrific. Glad the thread is continuing.

Agreed....+1

[Leon]

Great trophy ball. Hope it didn't come from Nash...

I don't think these are pre-1870 but are early and neat looking.....

Originally Posted by oldjudge

I guess this should count in the pre-Civil War category, an 1859 Unions of Morrisiana v. Excelsiors trophy ball. For those unfamiliar with the Unions, they played in what later became The Bronx, about a mile from the current Yankee Stadium.

[steve B]

Originally Posted by ruth-gehrig

Did you originally have this one Steve??

No, Mine were all blank.

If I had an actual letter, I'd probably still have it. That's really neat.
It's also interesting. Of the three I got two were short, the third extra long, about legal size. From the look of the letter they'd trim the large page to fit the letter they wrote.

Steve B

[bobfreedman]

This Trophy Ball is mentioned in the book "Eyes on the Sporting Scene from 1870 - 1930" . On about page 41, it states "The Liberty Club played on the grounds east of Oak Hill cemetery and were the champion club of 1867. A silver ball the size of a baseball was awarded by Mr. Spencer Wood of New City, New York., following the tournament. There was a club called the Yankee base ball club in Nyack in 1866, a name that would take on its own meaning in the future. By spring of 1868 the best of the Old Liberty Base Ball Club was absorbed into the Tappan Zee Base Ball Club of Nyack".

As you can see, the name on the ball is Spencer Wood and is without question, the "Silver Ball" that is referenced in the book. I need to do more research on the ball (any help would be appreciated) but this is a great start.

[ruth-gehrig]

Bob you are like a magnet to all the great stuff! Absolutely superb! Great ball.

[YankeeFan]

WOW! These artifacts from the the dawning of the game we love really take you back and spur the imagination. Makes you wish you could have witnessed some of it.

Bob, that silver ball is gorgeous! Congratulations on the pick up and thank you for showing us.

[Bobsbats]

Anonymous Cabinet front.jpg

[khkco4bls]

Originally Posted by bobfreedman

This Trophy Ball is mentioned in the book "Eyes on the Sporting Scene from 1870 - 1930" . On about page 41, it states "The Liberty Club played on the grounds east of Oak Hill cemetery and were the champion club of 1867. A silver ball the size of a baseball was awarded by Mr. Spencer Wood of New City, New York., following the tournament. There was a club called the Yankee base ball club in Nyack in 1866, a name that would take on its own meaning in the future. By spring of 1868 the best of the Old Liberty Base Ball Club was absorbed into the Tappan Zee Base Ball Club of Nyack".

As you can see, the name on the ball is Spencer Wood and is without question, the "Silver Ball" that is referenced in the book. I need to do more research on the ball (any help would be appreciated) but this is a great start.

Bob,incredible piece. Where did that originate. Did you get that at auction or privately

[aquarius31]

Amazing thread! Here are a range of pre 1870's items. I've shown most of these before so nothing new.

1856 Porter's Spirit of the Times - Early rules along with diagram of the field
1857 Porter's Spirit of the Times - Gothams vs Eagles
1860's belt buckle
1860's 1/4 plate tintype with glass cover
1860's CDV of 2 players from Dunkirk, NY
1868 CDV of Xenia BBC