NEED YOUR HELP! Looking for the owners or an owner of this ball

[BrandonG]

Hey guys, I'm wrapping up most of the baseball pages photography wise in my book with the exception of the early 1880's-1890's Spalding Official league Ball. This ball would have been used at the beginning of the National League and one of Spalding's first baseballs. I have been sent images of these two baseballs, but never high enough resolution or all of the panels to properly research them, and never with owner contact info so I could get proper photographs.

Does anyone out there own one of these baseballs? Or know of someone who might have one? This is a very important part of the History of the Base Ball, and sharing is a good thing! Last guy I spoke with didn't want the public to see what he had for fear of counterfeiting, but that's not fair to the people who want to learn and I thought selfish. Any help on your part won't go unrewarded!

Thanks guys.

[Splinte1941]

The fact that the guy didn't want to share something with you is in no way selfish. The dude has his own reasons that are as legitimate as your reasons why you think he should help. That fact that you're putting a book together in no way obligates anyone to help you, whether compensation is offered or not.

Some of you guys kill me.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Splinte1941

The fact that the guy didn't want to share something with you is in no way selfish. The dude has his own reasons that are as legitimate as your reasons why you think he should help. That fact that you're putting a book together in no way obligates anyone to help you, whether compensation is offered or not.

Some of you guys kill me.

I understand what you are saying and of course agree somewhat. That being said you sure don't have a tactful way about you. Not that you need to but sometimes you might think about your brash posting style. Honey gets more bees than vinegar. There won't be any rule or reprimand for your style, I think it's just you, but you might just give it some thought. As I have aged I have mellowed a bit.......and it's a better thing overall. (and helps keep my blood pressure down too)

[thetruthisoutthere]

Originally Posted by Leon

I understand what you are saying and of course agree somewhat. That being said you sure don't have a tactful way about you. Not that you need to but sometimes you might think about your brash posting style. Honey gets more bees than vinegar. There won't be any rule or reprimand for your style, I think it's just you, but you might just give it some thought. As I have aged I have mellowed a bit.......and it's a better thing overall. (and helps keep my blood pressure down too)

Leon, I agree. Brandon goes out of his way to help anyone who requests his expertise.

Jake, there was no reason for you to be so crude in your reply to Brandon's request. Brandon didn't make a demand, he politely asked for help and offered compensation.

[RichardSimon]

Originally Posted by thetruthisoutthere

Leon, I agree. Brandon goes out of his way to help anyone who requests his expertise.

Jake, there was no reason for you to be so crude in your reply to Brandon's request. Brandon didn't make a demand, he politely asked for help and offered compensation.

+1

[Splinte1941]

Originally Posted by thetruthisoutthere

Leon, I agree. Brandon goes out of his way to help anyone who requests his expertise.

Jake, there was no reason for you to be so crude in your reply to Brandon's request. Brandon didn't make a demand, he politely asked for help and offered compensation.

No, he said how frustrated he was with the guy he talked to and called him selfish because he wouldn't provide help. Did you read his post?

And whether or not Brandon goes out of his way to help people is totally irrelevant to the point he made about this guy.

To paraphrase Rick Pitino, the air of entitlement around here stinks!

[Wymers Auction]

I actually agree with all of you on this. I think Jake makes a good point, but a little tactfulness would go along way.

[thecatspajamas]

Originally Posted by Splinte1941

No, he said how frustrated he was with the guy he talked to and called him selfish because he wouldn't provide help. Did you read his post?

And whether or not Brandon goes out of his way to help people is totally irrelevant to the point he made about this guy.

To paraphrase Rick Pitino, the air of entitlement around here stinks!

The guy has the ball needed, but doesn't want to let it be shown in public. That's pretty much the definition of selfishness, which describes the action, not the person in this case. The owner of the ball has a very real concern that if made public, it would be duplicated/replicated/counterfeited, which would in turn reduce the value/prestige of his own original. This can and has been done, so whether we agree with the decision or not, I would call it "justified selfishness" in this case.

That doesn't make it any less frustrating for Brandon, who has put a LOT of work into his upcoming book, freely shared his knowledge at every turn, and (in my experience) shows equal parts fairness and gratitude when obtaining any piece needed for the book. I personally have never gotten a sense of "entitlement" from him. Much the opposite in fact, as he has been gracious to a fault at every turn, whether there was any exchange of goods or I was simply plying him for information.

Many of us here on the boards have been anxiously awaiting Brandon's upcoming book, and if photographing this ball is the last major obstacle to realizing that goal, add my voice to those bemoaning the only example he has located being locked up out of sight. I understand the owner's hesitance, but in this case, I will indulge the closest thing to complaining that I have heard from Brandon.

[Splinte1941]

Originally Posted by Leon

I understand what you are saying and of course agree somewhat. That being said you sure don't have a tactful way about you. Not that you need to but sometimes you might think about your brash posting style. Honey gets more bees than vinegar. There won't be any rule or reprimand for your style, I think it's just you, but you might just give it some thought. As I have aged I have mellowed a bit.......and it's a better thing overall. (and helps keep my blood pressure down too)

I hear you and will take it under advisement.