This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/31/2011
Baseball has more history than any of the other big sports combined. When our nation was in dire need of feeling good about itself, it had to look no further than the game of baseball.
Collecting Official baseballs has become big business in the memorabilia industry. Of course, every wish list includes the short-lived 1917 National League baseball. Because they were only created for one season, there is a heavy shortage of these baseballs. According to Vintage Base Balls: A Look At The Collection Of Vintage Baseballs what differentiates these National League orbs from their counterparts is the following: "The words "Cork" to the left, and "Center" to the right are now added diagonally to the sides of "Official."
The following year the placement of "Cork" and "Official" was put back to their previous location.
Offered is an ultra-rare Spalding No. 1 Official National League baseball with deep stampings. Only a handful have surfaced. In fact, MEARS did offer one 1917 National League ball which sold for $1,149 in Jan. 2011.
This ball has deeper stampings than that baseball. The cherry on top is the original box which will attend. We must admit the box is in a reduced state. The top and bottom are detached but the red paper is still present as is the seal which kept the ball together. The ball shows the slightest hint of age wear. We are certain it was never played with. Any wear would be the affects of time.
Overall the finest extant of this almost impossible baseball.
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