Genuine WWI YMCA SPALDING OFFICIAL NL Baseball nice Super Collectors Item Near Mint Ball / below book value Start Price USD 1,550.00 Current Price USD 1,550.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price USD 1,650.00 Reserve Price - Start Time Friday, October 03, 2008 End Time Friday, October 10, 2008 Location Minneapolis, Minnesota See more about 'Genuine WWI YMCA SPALDING OFFICIAL NL Baseball nice ' Description Genuine WWI YMCA SPALDING OFFICIAL National League Baseball Extremely Rare and Hard to find collectors item in near Mint condition. Patent Date stamp is 1909. Click on the super-sized pictures. You may have to step back to see the Baseball easily. This Baseball is priced to sell. Less than book value. A personal check must wait to clear. or Money order preferred and same day shipping. The Lettering is very sharp and bold. Stitching is bright and not worn or faded. The YMCA stamp is the only part faded. Light toning on the cover. The value of this Baseball will only increase. Some of the value of this auction is for the original box, tape seal and tissue.  Genuine WWI YMCA SPALDING OFFICIAL Spalding No.1 National League Baseball Patent Date stamp is 1909. This Baseball is a very hard to find Collectors Item. Someone has sent me the following Email question. Q.   Hi There... Pls let me know what the YMCA stamp represents on the baseball? Thks A.  Official National League Baseballs, like this one up for auction were used by American servicemen stationed in France during the First World War 1914 - 1918. This baseball has a stamp American - YMCA - France because the YMCA sponsored the Baseball Leagues overseas, and supplied some of the equipment. Most of these balls were lost and only a few survived to make it back to the United States. These Official National League baseballs from this era typically sell in the $2000 - $2500 price range, in near mint, to mint condition. This baseball given its excellent condition, great history, and rarity should sell in this range, if not higher. Thanks for the great question. The original box and box seal are also included in this auction, most YMCA balls do not have the original box. The link below will show you another YMCA Baseball. http://dugouttreasures.com/productDetail.cfm?sID=5&prodID=187 Genuine John K. Tener 1913-1918 SPALDING OFFICIAL National League No1 Baseball This WWI YMCA Baseball is extremely rare and is almost impossible to find in this condition, untouched by anyone for 37 years. After searching the web, for other balls of the same era, I believe this ball is in near Mint condition compared to the others that I have found. Please closely examine the super size photos and make your own opinion before you place your bid. Original box is near Mint. Original box seal and tissue are included. This TENER ball with the box could be the  CROWN JEWELS Of Your Baseball Memorabilia Collection. Genuine SPALDING OFFICIAL National League No1 John K. Tener 1913-1918 Baseball. Very scarce and HARD TO FIND in this condition. ==================== There is a book on eBay #   260277658632 Published in June 2001 20th Century baseball Quotes page reprinted with permission. 20th Century Baseballs National League               Excellent  Nr. Mint          Mint      Nr.Mt.Box           Mt. In Box Harry Pulliam                   $400            $800              $1200      $1800               $2500    Ext. Rare T. J. Lynch                           $400            $800              $1200      $1800               $2500    Ext. Rare John K. Tener                     $400           $800              $1200      $1800               $2500    Scarce John Heydler                      $300           $600                $900      $1200               $2000    Scarce Ford Frick + 20% PreWar$100           $200                 $300       $400                  $600   F. Common Warren Giles                       $50             $75                 $150       $200                  $350   F.  Common    Vintage Baseballs Price &  Information Guide by Dave Bushing and Joe Phillips  According to the above mentioned guidebook, it quoted the less rare, TENER ball value at roughly $1800 to $2500. These quotes, were in 2001 prices and they were not referring specifically to the YMCA Baseball that is even more scarce than, the more common TENER Spalding No 1 that is rarely found on eBay.   History of this Baseball I have owned this ball for 37 years and my Grandfather owned it before that. So when you buy this baseball you will be the 3rd person to own it. This ball has never been used and has a toning on the skin as should be expected from a ball that is approximately 90 to 96 years, almost 100 years old.  This Baseball was given to me by my Grandfather, he said he got it in France when he was stationed there, in WWI.  I am not sure of the year he got it. The stitching on the ball is Red and Black, not faded or frayed. Actually I just recently remembered where it was hidden for the last 37 years. This is why the ball is in such great shape, I never handled it until recently.   I accept personal check and USPS Money Orders PREFERRED. Please let us know by email, with-in 24 hour of the auctions closing, how you will be paying. One payment reminder will be sent. If the winning bidder does not respond within 7 days of closing I then reserve the right to re-list the item and post a non-paying bidder alert with Ebay.   Free Shipping to the lower 48 States. includes handling, confirmation and Insurance   WE SHIP BY: USPS. All orders are shipped out the same day or 1 day after payment is verified. Shipping will be Registered with signed signature and photo ID verification, required for delivery. We will not send to a P.O. box or any address not confirmed by PayPal. When your order is shipped out you will receive an email from us with your tracking # in it, and the approximate date of delivery. NO international shipping. While I strive to be as knowledgeable and honest as possible, I am certainly not an expert on everything. Just like at a live auction, now is your opportunity to ask questions, request additional photos or measurements, etc. I do not intentionally hide a defect about any item, but again, you should ask any questions you have prior to bidding. I try, to take the best representative pictures that I can. I will rarely give a second chance offer. If someone emails you out side of Ebay, that they are the seller of my item, I only correspond with buyers and questions through Ebay. Please Email me, if you have any other questions. Good Luck & Thanks for LOOKING. I want you to BID with CONFIDENCE. Marty Certain images/photos incorporated into this template are the property of JupiterImages & Floralpatterns, used with permission under license. Place a Bid!