Reach and Spalding published Baseball guides that are now considered very collectible. Generally, Spalding guides are moree valuable then Reach guides. Reach provided baseballs to the American League and Spalding the Antional league. A 1911 Reach guide with the cover intact and with all pages present, little or no foxing can be worth upwards of $85.00.
Spalding along with the Reach label was producing Major league baseball for about 100 years until Rawlings took over in 1977. To find a value for your baseball you must narrow down the era the baseball is from. The age of the baseball can be found by the stamp of the League predident that appears on the ball. Foe example Ban Johnson baseballs were made from 1901-1927 and could be worth about $1,200. more or less depending on the condition of the baseball. Joe Cronin baseballs were made from 1959 - 1973 and have a value in the $200. price range. See related links below for an Official Baseball Dating guide that also features the estimated market value.
The age of an official Major League baseball can be found by the stamp of the League predident that appears on the ball. Foe example Ban Johnson baseballs were made from 1901-1927. See related links below for an Official Baseball Dating guide
An Official American League Ban Johnson Reach baseball made during the years 1901-1927 is worth in the $1,000.-$1,200. price range. Without the Box! This baseball with Red, and Blue stitching is very rare in any condition, and it is Extremely Rare to find in unused condition. With the box, your baseball could be worth as much as $2,000. I have include a link to an Official Bsabeball Dating & price Guide. The picture I have is the condition of a baseball commonly found from this period.
A vintage baseball from 1916 could be worth between $750. - $1,500. in excellent condition. World series stamped baseballs were not made until the 1970's. You would need strong provenance from a team or league official to prove that the baseball you have was used in the World Series. Provenance is the history of ownership of a particular item. It allows the buyer to secure additional insight as to the origin or chain of custody of the item. A letter of provenance from a fan or stating it is from a collection is not sufficient. An Official American League baseball from 1916 would have the Ban Johnson league President stamp on it. The National league ball John Tener. See Related Links below for a Official Major League Baseball price guide
To come up with a value for the National League baseball you will have to find out what year the baseball was made. By identifying the league president that is stamped on the baseball you can determine when the baseball was made.Some time around 1876, Albert G. Spalding and his brother, J. Walter Spalding, obtained the right to produce the official National League baseball, which they would continue to produce for the next 100 years.the National League Spalding Trademark baseballs had Black & Red stitching up until about 1934/35 when both league started using red stitching only. National League Spaldingbaseballs along with the American League Reach label was producing Major league baseball for about 100 years until Rawlings took over around 1970, and Rawlings have been making major league baseballs ever since.See Related Links below for an Official major League baseball dating & price guide complete with pictures and a list of league presidents.
The value of an 1889 Spalding's official baseball guide will vary on condition. Most likely, a complete guide is worth well over 200 dollars.
The type, and age would be needed to put a value on the baseball. If it is an official Major League baseball it could be dated by the signature of the League President stamped on the ball. American League baseballs with the Reach Trademark had Red & Blue stitching, up until about 1934/35 when both leagues started to use red stitching only. Spalding along with the Reach label was producing Major league baseball for about 100 years until Rawlings took over around 1970, and Rawlings have been making major league baseballs ever since. See Related Links below for a price guide on Vintage Major League baseballs.
American League baseballs with the Reach Trademark had Red & Blue stitching, and the National League Spalding Trademark baseballs had Black & Red stitching up until about 1934/35 when in both league started using only red stitching. If you have an official baseball you need to "analyze" the stamping on the baseball. You can the narrow down the era the baseball was made by the name of the league President that appears on the ball. Trademarks could also aid in dating the ball. See Related Links below for a Baseball dating guide. If the baseball does not have any markings then it will be difficult to date. The baseball you have has red, and black stitching as the national league baseballs did, and will date the baseball pre-1935. Non-Official balls might have been made after 1935 as well. Without any markings on the baseball it will have a lower collectors value.
Some time around 1876, Albert G. Spalding and his brother, J. Walter Spalding, obtained the right to produce the official National League baseball, which they would continue to produce for the next 100 years.The American League, formally the American League of Professional Baseball Clubs combined with the National league in 1901 to form Major League baseball. Alfred James Reach, owner of The Reach sporting Goods company, sold his company to Spalding in 1889. Spalding continued to use the Reach label to produced American League baseballs beginning in 1901.NOTE: American League baseballs with the Reach Trademark had Red & Blue stitching, and the National League Spalding Trademark baseballs had Black & Red stitching up until about 1934/35 when in both leagues started using only red stitching.So basically Spalding was producing Major league baseball for about 100 years until Rawlings took over around 1970, and Rawlings have been making major league baseballs ever since. I will leave a link below to a price guide for Official Major League baseballs. It is broken down by League and league presidents, along with pictures where you can see the Spalding, Reach, and Rawlings trademarks. I will be adding more pictures soon -Steven KeyMan
Play Ball The Authentic Little League Baseball Guide to Rules and Regulations - 2003 V was released on: USA: 9 May 2003
The most preferred baseball to have a player sign would be an Official Major League baseball from the League the player played in, that was used during the ball players playing days. The older baseballs could be dated by the signature of the League President stamped on the ball. For example: Willie Mays played from 1951-1973. If you were planning to acquire a Willie Mays signature you would try to find a 1951-1969 Warren Giles Official national League Baseball. The baseball alone would cost you about $200. but it would also add value to your signature. You can also opt to go with a 1970-1986 Charles Feeny Official National League Baseball which was used at the end of Mays' career. This ball would cost you about $60. Your next choice should be an Official Major League baseball made after his playing days. This would be acceptable as well. The same would be for team signed baseballs. A team from the 1980's, a 1980's baseball. (same League) See Related Link below for an Official Major League Baseball Dating Guide
The most preferred baseball to have a player sign would be an Official Major League baseball from the League the player played in, that was used during the ball players playing days. The older baseballs could be dated by the signature of the League President stamped on the ball. For example: Willie Mays played from 1951-1973. If you were planning to acquire a Willie Mays signature you would try to find a 1951-1969 Warren Giles Official national League Baseball. The baseball alone would cost you about $200. but it would also add value to your signature. You can also opt to go with a 1970-1986 Charles Feeny Official National League Baseball which was used at the end of Mays' career. This ball would cost you about $60. Your next choice should be an Official Major League baseball made after his playing days. This would be acceptable as well. The same would be for team signed baseballs. A team from the 1980s, a 1980s baseball. (same League) You could find these baseballs on eBay. Just make sure that the ball you purchase is clean, and like new. I would not use a plain baseball or team logo baseball. It would be cheaper but then so would the value of your autograph. I will leave a link to an Official Baseball Dating & price Guide. This will help you identify the baseball you are looking for and estimated value.