OTish - Vintage basketball pen/pencil box

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Posted By: Alan Elefson

Hi-
I posted this same thread a little while ago on the vintage memorabilia section but I thought there might be basketball card collectors here who also collect memorabilia. Please read the post below. As stated below I apologize for this "teaser" post as I will not be able to provide a scan until I return from my trip.
I just found what appears to be an extremely early basketball, wooden pen/pencil box at an antique store in Yankton, SD. It shows a basketball scene with a peach basket visible (it appears to be on a pole without a backboard). It shows a large image of a single player on the right (with a large ball leaving his hand) and it shows 8 smaller players near a single basket and a referee (I am guessing he is a referee as he is wearing a hat).
The box itself is in rough shape as a portion of the court scene is missing and there are three ink stains including one on the large player's face. Also, the latch is missing.
I apologize for this teaser post as I will not be able to post a scan until I return home early Friday morning. In the interim, does any one have one of these or has any one seen one? Any idea on the date of issue, manufacturer, etc.? I researched the history of basketball a little and it appears that backboards were added in the late 1890s and that rims replaced peach baskets by 1910ish. Thank you very much for any help you might be able to provide, and I promise I will post a scan as soon as I return home.
Thanks in advance,
Alan Elefson
aelefson@hotmail.com

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Posted By: Alan Elefson

As promised, here is the scan of the vintage basketball pen/pencil box I found this week. Any information that you could provide would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Alan Elefson
aelefson@meditech.com

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Posted By: Giovanni Azzarelli

No clue about this item, but sure is a beauty! Very nice item, were did you get it, and for how much, if you don't mind me asking

Giovanni

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Posted By: Alan Elefson

Geno-
No problem asking. I paid 10.00 for it at an antique store in Yankton, South Dakota. I am fairly certain I obtained it at an excellent price. I travel for work and if I get out early enough from the training I try to check out the local antique stores. This is definitely my best find while traveling for work.
Also, you, or any one else, should check out the memorabilia forum (link is at the top of this page) where another poster posted a football box that might be from the same manufacturer. I would love to know if any one has ever seen one of these before.
Alan Elefson
aelefson@hotmail.com

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Posted By: VintageBasketballPat

Hi Alan...

I've attempted to attach an example of the pencil box you are describing. For $10...it was a very nice find. I'd place the value in the $500-$750 range.

I agree with you that the look of the basketball net has an 1890s look. I think there is a good chance that this piece is from the 1910s considering the style of the box itself. It is pretty rare item...but there are a few around.

It is a very nice vintage piece.

Pat