Breathe some rare air with this 1914-1915 Victor Sporting Goods Official Federal League baseball. A very real threat to Major League Baseball, the Federal league lasted just two years, and that was more than a hundred years ago. It’s not a stretch at all to consider relics from this short-lived major league exceedingly rare, because they are.



Respectable remnants of the factory labeling stamps on the offered baseball retain sufficient integrity to make for positive identification and satisfying display. Scant portions of the Victor logo are detectable on the north panel, though the words “Sporting Goods” remain particularly strong. Favorably, the words “Federal League” on the sweet spot are the boldest of the labeling stamps, however only traces of the word “Official” are still visible. Most of the south panel stamping is readily discernible where it reads “Warranted 5 OZ. 9 IN. Horsehide”. Reportedly, the name of League President J.A. Gilmore was stamped on the reverse sweet spot, where now there is only a suggestion of the stamping. Well-toned with light to moderate sporadic scuffs, this ancient ball remains solid, with tight red and blue stitching, and an overall wonderful period authentic appeal.



An absolute must for equipment specialists, this ball has great historic relevance. The upstart league managed to lure in a significant number of Hall of Famers and stars, with the promise of better pay, escalating the salaries of period ballplayers. The St. Louis Terriers and Chicago Whales merged into the Majors, with the purchase of the Browns and Cubs respectively. Originally built for the Whales, venerable Wrigley Field became the home of the Cubs. What a treat it must have been for fans from far flung cities such as Kansas City, Covington and Buffalo, to see Chief Bender, Mordecai Brown or Eddie Plank hurl a game without having to take a long train ride.

Opening Bid $1,000.