November 2014 Auction Ends Thursday, November 20th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/20/2014
Original 1909 sign advertising the Reach American League baseball, which was patented and debuted that year. The new American League balls were distinct as they had red and blue stitching and the inside was made of cork. Alfred J. Reach was a former player for the Philadelphia Athletics from 1871 to 1875 and built up a successful sporting goods company before eventually selling it to his competitor, the famed Albert Spalding. Spalding kept the Reach name to avoid antitrust suits. Sign features the Reach trademark to top with U.S. patent office marking: ''Design Pat. July 13th 1909 / R.E.C. U.S. Pat. Off.'', then with ''Official American League Ball'' printed along sweet spot and ''A.J. Reach Co. / Sole / Makers / Philadelphia / Patented April 6th 1909'' along bottom. Sign display portrays ''Reach Sporting Goods'' to side. Painted double-sided steel sign was designed to mount to a wall or business front. With 90 degree mounting capability, ball has a 13.5'' diameter x 18.25''. Weighs 2 pounds, 4 ounces. Significant speckled oxidation throughout causing the writing to fade, particularly on one side. Else very good.
Rare 1909 Double-Sided Metal Sign Advertising the Debut of the Patented ''Reach Sporting Goods'' American League Baseball
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