1936 Spalding Football

[mcgwirecom]

Originally Posted by Fballguy

Awesome football. Very cool item to add to any football collection. I also have some old flat footballs and thought of using the Wilson service to restore them. My one concern...I don't want shiny new laces in a 50 year old ball.

Yeah thats true, but you may be able to age them yourself. Or maybe even ask them to dirty the lace material before stitching. I did it because I wanted the ball inflated for display. It was always flat when I saw it in the attic. I'll try and get a pic of it today as I am going to my brothers. There is some cracking to it because the whole ball was originally painted.

[thecatspajamas]

I've never attempted such a thing, but couldn't you (or your restorer) replace the internal bladder but keep/re-use the existing laces?

Not sure I would go back to the manufacturer for that work to be done though. For a $20 service charge, I don't think you're going to be getting a "museum quality" restoration. That service seems to be geared more toward those who don't want to shell out $80 for a new ball and just want to make their old one usable again.

[vintagesportflips]

Great football; congrats on adding it to your collection.
I would be very surprised if inflating it slowly works given the ball and bladders age. It likely won't hold air, or will leak. Can't hurt to try as long as the leather isn't too dry/brittle.
I can recommend a restorer who I have used may times in the past, who will replace the bladder, and re-lace using antique laces (or the original laces when possible) Shoot me an email, and I'll get you his contact info if interested.

[bocca001]

I ended up filling it up. It looks better now (more of a football shape), but it is still flat. Not sure if it will hold the football shape or shrinl back into a rasin.

I'm torn between keeping it as is (with original laces) and restoring. I'll probably wait for a bit to decide. If I can't keep it out of rasin form, I'll probably restore.

Right now, I just enjoy having it.