Lot # 2172: Nineteenth-Century Figure-Eight Style Baseball Pair

Pair of classic, professionally manufactured figure-eight style baseballs, both of which appear to date from the 1800s. Superb quality with modest wear throughout. Professional quality baseballs from this era, such as these examples, which were obviously produced by master craftsmen (as opposed to amateur homemade models), are particularly rare and highly prized. The offered balls measurements are as follows: 9 inches in circumference and 3.3 ounces, and 8 inches in circumference and 2.5 ounces. A pair of fascinating conversation pieces relating to the evolution of baseball, dating from the earliest days of our national pastime.