Lemon Peel?

[Leon]

Is this really a lemon peel ball? Not sure I remember one like that. And if this is hand stitching someone had some strong hands....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1860s-Baseba...IAAOSwnHZYXJEF

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[vintagesportscollector]

That is the typical familiar design of a Lemon Peel. Have seen many like that. This is one quite flawless and uniform. I tend to stay away from these balls, unless its a known source, or I can examine it in person. I am finding more and more these are reproduced and aged convincingly. The 'hand stitching' would refer to made by cobbler - who had good tools and made shoes, satchels and saddles - so the stitching on a ball could be better/stronger than one would expect of the time. I would want to examine this one closer.

Here is a link to a gallery of Lemon Peels, but I think even JD said not everything on here has been vetted to be authentic.

http://www.baseballglovecollector.co...on-peel-balls/

[william_9]

All baseballs are sewn by hand. That one is a modern reproduction for vintage 1860s rules play. Check your local paper, there's probably a team in your area.

[IronHorse2130]

Yes, this ball looks just like the ones I use in my vintage base ball league when we play under 1864 rules.

[khkco4bls]

Exactly what it is. To uniformed. Modern ball..

[1880nonsports]

2 balls on the gallery site that don't look right. That said - overall nice visual gallery - thanks for that! Leon's ball has been rightly outed by the guys earlier.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by 1880nonsports

2 balls on the gallery site that don't look right. That said - overall nice visual gallery - thanks for that! Leon's ball has been rightly outed by the guys earlier.

I hate it when my balls get outed.....I prefer they stay warm.

[william_9]

Originally Posted by khkco4bls

Exactly what it is. To uniformed. Modern ball..

A well made ball from the 1860s will be uniformly cut and sewn. Lack of uniformity only rules out a professionally made ball, not the vintage.

[1880nonsports]

after 36 years of marriage (wish I could find a better pic). The one on the right is a candy container. I enjoy looking at examples of early base balls if anyone else wants to share. At some point I'd like to add a dated trophy lemon peel.
As for uniformity not being exclusionary - it is part of the overall equation and not a sole determinate however while relying on the provided link - the apparent lack of aging of the leather and the stitching are uniformly new........