This is a Vintage 1850 -1860 "Lemon Peal" style Baseball. This 4 piece hand stitched leather skinned baseball was one of the first style baseball used. Dark leather was used for the cover because it was readily available and easier for the players to see when the ball was hit in the air on a clear day. In fact, famed baseball writer Henry Chadwick advocated using a dark red leather base ball as late as 1875 and stated so in the 1875 DeWitt's Baseball Umpire's Guide. White baseballs were later introduced (1861) because most ball fields at the time had heavily wooded area back drops, and it was easier to see the white ball.

The vintage baseball pictured above measures ten inches in circumference and weighs 5.25 ounces. This is a particularly high quality circa 1859 baseball of professional manufacture. In 1859 the rules stated that a ball must weigh 5.75 to 6 ounces and measure 9.75 to 10 inches in circumference. Two years later, the ball specifications were changed to 5.5 to 5.75 ounces and 9.5 to 9.75 inches in circumference. Below are Lemon peal baseballs with a circumference of 8" -9 1/2. By the 1870s the "Figure 8" stitched baseballs were used similar to the baseball used today. the figure 8 baseballs were first introduced in the 1840s. Vintage 19th century Baseballs from the early days are in high demand and sell between $800. -- $2,000.

MORE PHOTOS

CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE

Great offer at 19 Century Baseball 19CBaseball.com

1859–1860 Baseballs

Produced for vintage baseball teams of today, this lemon peel baseball duplicates the look and feel of the hand made baseballs from 1859 through 1860.

Dark leather was used for the cover because it was readily available and easier for the players to see when the ball was hit in the air on a clear day. In fact, famed baseball writer Henry Chadwick advocated using a dark red leather base ball as late as 1875 and stated so in the 1875 DeWitt's Base Ball Umpire's Guide.

This baseball is 9¾ inches in circumference and 5¾ ounces in weight, hand stitched and conforms to the specifications of the National Association of Base-Ball Players for 1859 and 1860.

Only $17.25 Click Here
Order now to receive FREE SHIPPING* within the continental U.S.