Lot # 1260: Outstanding Nineteenth-Century Figure-Eight Style Baseball

Extraordinary example of a classic, professionally manufactured figure-eight style baseball dating from approximately the 1870s. Superb quality. Professional quality baseballs from this era, such as this example, which was obviously produced by master craftsmen (as opposed to amateur homemade models) are particularly rare and highly prized. The baseball remains in Excellent condition overall, with tight stitching and a clean surface with only a few light spots visible. This is a fascinating conversation piece relating to the evolution of the baseball and dating from the earliest days of our national pastime and one of the finest examples we have handled of this early-style baseball.