Auction Item Details
Lot 10a
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Lot Number: 10
Description: Tunnicliff family lemon peel style baseball c.1839. Early one piece construction baseball which originated from the family of Horatio Tunnicliff of Springfield Center, NY near Cooperstown. The Tunnicliff family history in this country dates back to 1783 with strong ties in the Cooperstown area of New York. The Tunnicliff Inn was established in 1802 and remains a popular tourist attraction in Cooperstown to date. The offered ball descended in the family of Horatio Tunnicliff to his great grandson. According to family history the baseball was part of an early display at the National Baseball Hall of Fame relating to early equipment. While it cannot be confirmed that this is the case it is clear that several showcases of early equipment (including baseballs) are visible in period photographs taken at the Hall of Fame (included). Also included with the baseball is a vintage sepia tone 8"x10" photograph taken of the offered ball in which the titling reads as follows, "Actual size photo of original hand made one piece cover baseball used in 1839. Owned at that time by the late Horatio Tunnicliff of Springfield Center, NY, near Cooperstown, NY". The image is incredibly detailed picturing both sides of the ball which match the actual ball perfectly. The ball itself is intact with some period stitch reinforcement (visible in the period photo as well). One panel of the ball has some very slight adhesive residue mentioned for accuracy only. Very early piece of baseball equipment with unique period photo documentation and prestigious family pedigree. Includes letter of provenance from the great grandson, (2) vintagte HOF photo postcards picturing the equipment cases, and the period photograph picturing the ball itself: VG-EXá
Estimated Price: ($5,000.00-$7,500.00)
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