This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/2/2015
Offered for this lot is a superb example of an early and rare 19th century baseball. Measuring 9” in circumference, the horse hide covered baseball is completely intact, bound by extremely tight seam stitching. The leather retains a high glossed patina and remains in exceptional near mint condition.
Stamped on the upper portion of the side panel is,
“J.D. Shibe & Co., S 91 W. 51, Philadelphia” and a checkered stocking logo. The writing is very vibrant and fully intact.
Per our research the JD Shibe & Co. manufacturing plant was located at South 9 ¼ & West 5 ¼” Streets in Philadelphia between 1882-1886 prior to moving into the 1435-1437 North Front St. location where the manufactured sporting goods until the early 1900s.
Baseball still bearing the original ink stampings is quite rare. We have theorized this baseball is an original retail baseball which remained unused or a salesman sample.
Regarding the background, John D. Shibe and his brother Benjamin were partners in a Philadelphia Baseball Manufacturing firm. After John’s death in 1884, Benjamin formed a partnership with Al Reach and became dominant in the sporting goods field. Together, Benjamin Shibe and Al Reach purchased the Philadelphia Athletics. The park was later named after Shibe. Extremely rare and historically important 19th century baseball. MEARS LOA included
http://library.la84.org/SportsLibrary/SportingLife/1885/VOL_05_NO_06/SL0506012.pdf
(80H0064)
LOA Troy Kinunen / MEARS