Lot # 52: 1887 Spalding Umpire Indicator with 4 Strikes & 5 Balls - Exceedingly Rare

Presented is a rare Spalding Umpire Indicator from the 1887 baseball season, the only season that used 4-Strikes and 5-Balls as the benchmarks for strikeouts and walks. The celluloid counter has an October 12, 1886 patent date and features the Spalding logo on one side and the mechanical "4-strikes and 5-balls" counter of the other. This example presents well overall but does show light to moderate toning throughout as well as a few areas of wear consistent with its age, particularly against the dials. It remains an outstanding and early relic from the early days of baseball.