Any ideas on this ornate old box - Baseball? Soccer? Rugby?

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Posted By: Dan McCarthy

I bought this box sight-unseen because the lady I bought it from said that it was very old and she thought it depicted a baseball scene. She was right on one count - it's definitely old - but unfortunately it's not baseball. It looks a lot more like rugby to me, but I don't really know. Has anyone seen one of these before or have any idea on age/value if any? It was really cheap so it's no big loss, but I only collect baseball memorabilia.

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Posted By: Chris

it is has to be a rugby scene, but the ball looks round like a sphere, not a typical rugby ball. In the very early years of rugby I believe a soccer ball was used, which looks to be what is on the box. Rugby was invented in the 1820's or 30's I believe, so it could be that old, given the shape of the ball.

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Posted By: scgaynor

I would go with soccer (foot-ball)

Scott

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Posted By: Jimmy Leiderman

Soccer 100%

Classic goalkeeper attire

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Posted By: martindl

Its absolutely Football/Soccer. Jimmy is right re Goalie attire. With the high-top boots (ankle boots), length of shorts and style of shirt, the image depicts a game ca 1910.

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Posted By: Chris

on second look it is soccer/football. It looks like there is an actual goal visible behind the keeper/goalie. I thought at first that the goalie was lateraling the ball, which would make it rugby, but it looks like he is in the follow through of a kick.

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Posted By: Dan McCarthy

Thanks for the help everybody! I thought it was rugby based on the fact that it looked like a couple of the guys were trying to catch the ball, but now I see that it's the goalie. The amount of knowledge on this board never ceases to amaze.

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Posted By: davidcycleback

It's soccer (football) and shows the guy in yellow and white stripes heading the ball on goal. The uniforms are soccer uniforms and goalies have always worn different clothes and colors than the rest of he players, explaining the guy with a black shirt and cap.

To feature the skill of the soccer greats, the below shows Pele doing a bicycle kick on goal in the same crowded bouncing ball situation. He would flip backwards and kick the ball directly behind where he had just been been standing. In other words, he could kick a loose ball behind his back at any force.

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Posted By: davidcycleback

I should add that I don't know any American could that box scene depict baseball.