Fraudulent eBay listing; 1860s-1870s Gutta-Percha Baseball

[pedodds]

Hey TOC baseball equipment collectors. The Gutta Percha baseball is a very rare and unique item. eBay Lot #252680951595 is not a a gutta percha baseball. I reference the book Banana Bats and Ding Dong Balls and the 1883 Spalding Guide. The gutty baseball was manufactured for part of the season in 1883. It quickly failed as a baseball because it was seamless and thus pitchers could not grip the ball in order to throw a curve. The curveball has been pitched since 1867.
Rule 13 in the 1883 Spalding Guide states that the baseball cannot be smaller than 9 inches nor larger than 9 1/4 inches in circumference.
I have an example of a gutty baseball. It has a hard core with twine wrapping and a gutta percha overlay. My ball is 9 1/4 inches in circumference and is 5oz., which is correct for the period. It has the feel and consistency of a baseball.
I asked the seller two questions about the ball. I asked if it had the feel of a baseball or if it is as hard as a billiard ball. He stated that it was hard. From my perspective, one of two things would happen when the bat meets a hard gutty ball - the bat would break or the ball would shatter.
Secondly, I asked him why he felt that the ball was a baseball when it is only 8 inches in circumference. He stated that baseballs of the 1860's and 1870's could be any measurement. To my knowledge gutty baseballs were not manufactured in the 1860's and 1870's. In my opinion, he has no idea what it is. I feel strongly that it is not a baseball and so I wanted everyone to know.
The gutty baseball, also called the Reach Seamless Baseball, failed to gain popularity because of it's lack of seams. It is an important yet obscure piece to collectors of the evolution of the baseball.
My example of the gutty baseball is at the far left in the middle row of the image.
Respectfully submitted,
John

[Leon]

Nice post and info, John. Here is a link to the ball. At 99 bucks I guess it would be quite the steal...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ORIGINAL-186...QAAOSwj85YQJZS

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[vintagesportscollector]

Looks like a Lawn Ball, but smaller than that. Could be for some other bowling type game.

[pedodds]

Thanks guys for your valuable input. I think i've figured this out! I started searching the dimensions of athletic balls and have concluded that a lacrosse ball is the only ball that meets the size and description of the sellers ball. If you search the evolution of the lacrosse ball, I believe you will come to the same conclusion. You will also find a style of horse leather lacrosse ball that resembles todays figure eight baseball. The key to the identification and differentiation is the circumference and weight. On average lacrosse balls are eight inches in circumference. My argument is to pay attention to size of the ball before buying it. Regulations on the sizes of baseballs go back as far as 1857 to my knowledge. I am not saying that all 8 inch balls are lacrosse. What I am saying is that because a ball has a lemon peel stitch or a figure eight stitch doesn't always mean it was used for baseball. In this day of forgeries and replicas, I see buyers get taken advantage of frequently. Too often it is up to the buyer to prove authenticity. Buyer beware is more important today more than ever!
Thanks!
John

See the link below;

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...42059868,d.eWE

[vintagesportscollector]

possibly, but without examining it, it's difficult to be sure. The ball in question looks to be harder than a lacrosse ball.

[Runscott]

This is what came to mind when I saw the ebay listing. I think, in addition to the normal ivory, they could be made from a bakelite-like substance.

Here is a set of carom balls with a circumference of 7.59": carom balls on ebay

[Huysmans]

Originally Posted by vintagesportscollector

Looks like a Lawn Ball, but smaller than that. Could be for some other bowling type game.

Hey Joe, what about a cricket ball? Could it possibly be that?

[vintagesportscollector]

I don't think Cricket, seems too hard for that. I think Scott's idea could be it.

[1880nonsports]

too. I've owned a few red/white ivory sets but that ball is a stumper. I don't get out enough anymore :-(

[Runscott]

Careful - you guys might make me feel smart. On the other hand, I have a hard time believing that anyone could think that a billiard ball could have been used to play baseball. If he also listed an old pool cue as a 'baseball bat', things would begin to make more sense.

[philliesfan]

I am no expert or even close, but the first thing I thought of when I saw the auction was a lacrosse ball.
Robert