The offered baseball pre-dates the formation of the professional leagues, but is still a link to our Nation's favorite pastime.
According to the book, "Vintage Baseballs" by Dave Bushing & Joe Phillips, this figure eight style baseball was introduced during the 1860s. They describe the ball as follows: "The figure eight ball, or cover is introduced which is the design used on current baseballs." Examination reveals this baseball is consistent with the "figure eight" design.
The baseball measures 2 1/2" in circumference, which is quite smaller than the National Association of Baseball Players guides lines for league sanctioned baseballs which were to measure 9" - 10 1/4" in circumference. Due to the ball's small size, it is considered a miniature or salesman sample.
The baseball remains in exceptionally high grade, and was part of a set assembled by a long time collector. The ball maintains its original patina with laces tightly intact.
Figure Eight baseballs from this era are becoming exceedingly hard to find, and this is the only salesman sample example MEARS Auctions has been able to examine. LOA MEARS Auction/Troy R. Kinunen
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