1908 Chicago Cubs "World Champions" Trophy Baseball

Sold For:

$600

Year:

1908

Auction:

2024 Spring

Lot #:

2540

Category:

Post-1900 Baseball Memorabilia

Circa 1908 model National League baseball with period notations in extremely distinctive and neat black lettering on side panel which reads: "WORLD CHAMPIONS OF 1908 - CUBS -." While it is accompanied by no provenance or documentation, this ball originated many years ago from a collection of early balls many of which were notated game balls. The notations are very fancy and of the period. The fact that the ball refers to the Cubs as "World Champions" indicates that the ball was decorated after the 1908 World Series. While it was customary from the earliest days of organized baseball to decorate balls from important games, this tradition which was so popular before the turn of the century was all but a lost art by 1908. While this ball does not have the elaborate craftsmanship of pre-1900 trophy balls, it is very likely a "throwback" to an earlier era, when decorating game balls was a popular tradition. The ball displays heavy wear throughout but all written notations are very clear and legible. Overall Fair condition. Opening Bid $500.