1870 Trophy Ball

[Shoeless Moe]

Originally Posted by aelefson

Hi-

I believe the team the balls came from might be the QuikSteps (or QuickSteps) but I based that on the research into the expensive ball that sold at REA and I am not 100% sure where I read the home team name.

Alan

I don't know, from reading the REA description on the one, sounds like the Quicksteps were maybe from or playing in Bethlehem, PA:

"The white painted ball features a bluish-green shield design framing the black-painted lettering "DeAfrique/Bethlehem, Pa./54-10/July 24/1871." While we have not been able to find any specific information regarding the DeAfrique club, its very name leaves little doubt as to the ethnic makeup of the club. Incredibly, the game recorded on this ball is documented in the July 24, 1871, issue of the Bethlehem Daily Times newspaper. In the column headed "Baseball" the first entry reads "The Quicksteps will play the DeAfriques of this place, this afternoon."

https://robertedwardauctions.com/auc...ague-baseball/

Doesn't mention where the Mutuals are from, or who is the team from Allentown, PA. Hmmmmm.