Lot # 1189: Extremely Rare Circa 1910 Reach Official American League (Ban Johnson) Baseball and Circa 1919-1924 Spalding Official National League Baseball Pair

Presented is an outstanding pair of official American and National League baseballs, highlighted by an extremely rare example of a circa 1910 Reach Official American League baseball. This example is the first of its kind that we have ever offered, and we cannot recall having seen another at auction. According to the History of Baseball Official American League Baseball Guide, this is an extremely rare baseball. It is the first OAL baseball to display a patent date (April 5, 1909). Featuring the facsimile signature of Ban Johnson on the side panel along with the year 1909 underneath, the presence of the patent date (as opposed to the "applied for" language) distinguishes this from a 1909 version of an otherwise identical baseball. All stampings on the offered baseball remain bright and clean. The baseball features moderate and consistent toning throughout, along with a few blemishes on two side panels in otherwise blank parts of the baseball. There is also a small spot of discoloration on the sweet spot. All stitching is clean and tight. Also included in this lot is an example of a circa 1919-1924 Official National League baseball. While this example shares many characteristics with the earlier 1917-1918 variety, it is our opinion that the Spalding Logo, while faded, displays smaller, tighter stitching than present on the earlier baseball, making it a match to the 1919-1924 model. Technically in modest condition overall due to advanced toning and discoloration as well as blemishes and surface area loss in multiple areas. This remains a very desirable pair of early official league baseballs, with the particularly notable highlight of the circa 1910 variety. Total: 2 baseballs.