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Historic 1880's J.D. Shibe Base Balls Box 1880's J.D. Shibe Base Balls Box.

Currency:USD Category:Sports - Cards & Fan Shop Start Price:1,200.00 USD Estimated At:4,000.00 - 6,000.00 USD
Historic 1880's J.D. Shibe Base Balls Box 1880's J.D. Shibe Base Balls Box.
<B>1880's J.D. Shibe Base Balls Box.</B></I> For millions of Philadelphia fans, the words "Shibe" and "baseball" will be forever linked, as the famous surname was bestowed upon the ballpark that housed the Athletics and later the Phillies for over six decades. Furthering that mental association is this beautiful and marvelously rare display box that once housed a dozen baseballs bearing the Shibe trademark. The historical significance of this box cannot be overstated, as it was Shibe that developed the machinery than made mass production of baseballs a possibility. It is also worth noting that a dozen standard sized baseballs could not possibly be held within this box, leading to the undeniable conclusion that the balls held within were the smaller sized specimens associated with the very earliest days of our National Pastime. A fine Victorian portrait of Mr. Shibe himself appears amidst the fantastic period font on one end, and an image of the baseballs it held appears on the other. Condition is quite remarkable for a piece of this age and delicacy, with expected edge and corner wear but no crushing or significant structural problems. A handwritten blue ink "Patches for Quilts" has been penned on the lid, though the blue ink is rather well camouflaged against the blue background. A beautiful display piece very rarely seen in the hobby. Quite possibly the oldest existing baseball box in the world, bar none. Measures 5.5x5.5x8.5".