1850s/Early 1860s Lemon Peel Baseball

Sold For:

$1,200

Year:

1855

Auction:

2016 Fall

Lot #:

1492

Category:

Pre-1900 Baseball Memorabilia

Extraordinary example of a classic professionally manufactured lemon peel baseball, dating from the 1850s/early 1860s, with raised seams and interior stitching. Superb quality. Professional quality baseballs from this era, such as this unusually designed manufactured example, which was obviously produced by master craftsmen (as opposed to amateur homemade models) are particularly rare and highly prized. Materials, style, and dimensions date this ball from the early 1850s to no later than 1861. Some scuffing and general wear but displays beautifully. This ball also has the special provenance of having once resided in the famed Barry Halper Collection. Reserve $1,000. Estimate (open).