Show Your Early Baseballs

[bgar3]

Great looking stuff everyone. All I have is a nice repro.

[khkco4bls]

OutThis is kind of what's left of my collection after I moved four years ago and sold everything else pretty much. The first one is a very rare William Read & Sons salesman's sample

[khkco4bls]

Just a few more

[pedodds]

Wow! You kept the cream of the crop! Great collection!
The stitching on the Read and Sons ball looks 1880’s? Is that correct?

Originally Posted by khkco4bls

Just a few more

[perezfan]

Hey John...
Many thanks for the kind words. And what you wrote about soon exiting the hobby was very poignant. That time inevitably draws nearer for me as well... and I agree that the "sharing" part of the hobby is the most meaningful and rewarding part.

Your collection is a true inspiration to everyone here... what a spectacular and fantastic labor of love!

Kevin...
Amazing early examples. It's incredible to see them all together like that, knowing how difficult each one is to acquire. Behind the Belt Ball and Figure 8 Ball, the legs of a bronze-looking statue are visible. Can you possibly post a photo of that piece?

Thanks, and great stuff!

[pedodds]

Mark,
Back at you!
I wish all us equipment guys could get together at the National!

[1880nonsports]

"I will have to pass this stuff on to the next generation soon. It’s bittersweet. I’m starting to think about my exit strategy. It’s hard to part with something that has been part of your identity for so long!"

for me - THIS. It's quite a struggle..............

Kevin - another WOW. More big balls! That salesman sample - OMG.