Description:

CIVIL WAR ERA BASEBALL BAT AND BALL
Handmade Civil War-era baseball bat, 29 in. long and approx. 3 in. dia., found in an old brick house in Federal Hill, Baltimore, MD in 1975 when it was being torn down. Likely whittled from pitch pine, the cheapest and most readily available softwood pre-Civil War. Union soldiers of the 6th Massachusetts Militia under command of Gen.Benjamin F. Butler garrisoned at Federal Hill were known to play baseball recreationally, leading us to believe they both made and used this bat during the war. In 1859, bats were limited to a diameter of no more than 2.5, making this example illegal. Accompanied by a hand-carved ball, uncovered which, however, during its use would have been wrapped in a horse hide 'lemon peel' covering. With its solid wood core this ball would have been more 'lively' in the field when hit by a striker rather than most softer balls, which commonly ended up 'dead' in the field. Both pieces displayed in a 39.75 in. wooden case with a glass face. Some light cracks in the wood, expected from use, else fine.

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January 27, 2023 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $999,999 $10,000
$1,000,000 $1,999,999 $50,000
$2,000,000 + $100,000