Trophy Balls
 

Posted By: <b>Donald Johnson</b><p>I was recently looking at the Leland's Dec. Auction and saw a few late 1800 balls. Are trophy balls very collectible? I know where I can get a 1909 Penn vs Lafayette ball but don't know what a reasonable price would be since it's a college ball. Any help would be appreciated.

Trophy Balls
 

Posted By: <b>Hankron</b><p>Trophy balls are collectable and scarce. 1900s balls will be a lot less expensive than 1800 balls, and college balls will be less expensive than professional. There are also old trophy footballs-- these are almost all college balls (for a long time college football was bigger than pro football) ... Provenance and documentation of provenance is important with these types of things, and will only serve to increase value.

Trophy Balls
 

Posted By: <b>Jimmy Leiderman</b><p>David is correct, but college game trophy balls always attract non-baseball college memorabilia collectors driving the prices up.<BR>A similar situation occurs with early college baseball photographs and scorecards.<BR><BR>Trophy balls from the 1900's are rarely seen, but that doesn't mean a higher price tag.<BR><BR>Expect a little over $1K for a "common" trophy ball, and well over 5K for a well known team ball.<BR><BR>Another thing that can change the price tag is the trophy ball design. (Paint color, a silver tag, visible stats or names, etc.)<BR>

Trophy Balls
 

Posted By: <b>Jimmy Leiderman</b><p>Prices above were for 19th Century trophy balls.<BR><BR>Another thing I forgot to mention was that lemon peel trophy balls from the 1860's are usually more desirable than the "modern" style balls from the 70's and 80's.<BR><BR>I recommend that you pick a bunch of old Robert Edward Auctions catalogs to check price figures.<BR>In my opinion, Rob Lifson has handled almost every rare trophy baseball in the market.<BR>

Trophy Balls
 

Posted By: <b>Donald Johnson</b><p>Thanks for the good info! The ball I was looking at was on sale for about $400 and is painted half white/half brown? and has the date 1909, Penn vs Lafayette 4-2! Seems like a very low score compared to most of the scores in the 1800's! I thought the 1909 date was interesting because it coincided with the date on most T206's.

Trophy Balls
 

Posted By: <b>Jeff M.</b><p>I am sorry for this post but because I am a deranged, corrupted, individual and cant help my self I had to add my 2 dirty cents.<BR> <BR>(Trophy Balls every mans dream)