Images(7)

Baseball

Object number2018.138.9 a,b

Manufacturer Spalding

Datec. 1955

MediumHorsehide; Cork; Rubber; Yarn; Ink; Cardboard

Credit LineGift of Holly Dick

DescriptionBaseball signed by the 1955 Pittsburgh Pirates team and original box.DimensionsDiameter (a): 2.86 in. (7.3 cm)
Height x Width x Length (b): 2.875 × 2.75 × 2.75 in. (7.3 × 7 × 7 cm)
InscriptionsHandwritten signatures all over the baseball. On the baseball piece with the "Spalding" logo, the signatures are "Vernon Law / Gene Baker / Paul Smith / Dee Fondy / Bill Mazeroski / Buddy Pritchard / Pete Peterson / Bob Skinner / Bob Smith / Ron Kline / Luis Arroyo / Roy Face". Signatures on the "Official National League" piece are "Art Swanson / Jimi Pendelton / Hank Foiles / Frank Thomas / Bobby Bragan / Bob Friend / Roman Mejais / Johnny O'Brien / Bob Purkey / Nellie King".
Marks(a) Text on one side of the baseball (a) states "[star] Official [star] / National [star] League / Warren Giles PRES." Other side of the baseball states "THE CUSHIONED CORK CENTER / SPALDING (inside a baseball) / REG. U.S. PAT. OFF. / MADE IN U.S.A."

(b) One side of the box's text states "MARCA REGISTRADA / SPALDING (in a baseball) / REG. U.S. PAT. OFF. / Quality Ever Since 1876". Two sides of the box's text is vertical and states "A.G. Spalding & Bros. / Offical National League / Base Ball". Next set of text on the box states "A.G. Spalding & Bros. / FAMOUS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD / Official / National League / Base Ball / CUSHIONED CORK CENTER".
Historical NotesObjects used by Paul Dick, who spent his life in a wheelchair after contracting polio at the age of 14. Paul Dick, who grew up on a farm in Claysburg, PA, contracted polio in September 1954, just as the first polio vaccine was being tested by Jonas Saulk. Two of his sibllings also contracted polio at the same time. He spent time in an iron lung in Altoona hospital, during which time he was completely paralyzed. After rehabilitation in Altoona and Warm Springs, GA, he was able to recover some movement, but would spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair. This baseball was autographed by members if the 1955 Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team. It was given to Paul when he was recovering from polio and receiving rehabilitiation services at Altoona Hospital. The Pirates learned that he was an avid fan who listened to every game while in the hospital.

Previous owner E. Paul Dick (died 2010)

Related person Vernon Law

Related person Gene Baker

Related person Paul Smith

Related person Dee Fondy

Related person William Stanley Mazeroski (born 1936)

Related person Harold William Pritchard

Related person Harding William Peterson

Related person Robert Ralph Skinner

Related person Robert Gilchrist Smith

Related person Ronald Lee Kline

Related person Luis Arroyo