April 21st, 2011
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/21/2011
Cabinet Card Photograph of a Black baseball player using a two-finger grip on the “lemon peel ball.” The player is fully uniformed to include athletic shoes, leggins just below the knee, half sleeve shirt, and period stove style cap. The team name is across the chest and only partially readible, “WLA ????” The photo is from The Copley Photo Co., Mobile Ala.” Good contrast and focus, c1895, likely industrial team. It is important to note that the ball is smaller and darker than today’s standard ball. These “lemon peel balls” were handmade resulting in variation of size and used two circumference stitches, quartering the ball. Additionally they were used by the teams as long as they would last, causing a dark patina.
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