Football Restoration

[b.heagy]

I just wanted to share a nice experience I had regarding an old Football restoration. I bought an old "fixer upper" that was dried up and looked hopeless. I did as much work to it as I could trying to bring the leather back to life before sending it to Steve Hill at Hammer Sports Relics. I have to say, superb service all the way around. Great communication throughout the process and even sent me pictures of the ball when he finished it. I do not have the ball just yet as it is in the mail but I think the picture speaks for itself. The First pic is the ball as I purchased it, second pic is what I could do myself and the third pic is what Steve did. I opted to have the filler put in the ball instead of a new bladder. In the end it turns out to be a nice early melon ball. Can't wait til I get it. The price was very reasonable and I cannot wait to send in my next piece.

[kjjavic]

Nice Ball Bill. Is that going in your collection? or is it available for sale/trade?
I also used Steve before for help with a melon ball I picked up in an estate auction, and had an outstanding experience as well.. In one of my best estate auction finds, I picked up a shriveled old melon ball in a box of junk for very little. The ball was marked with the year '07 and the score of a game between St Marks School and Milton Academy on back. (I also picked up a bunch of other St Marks Football memoribilia at the auction as well) I liked the ball in its original sunken condition, but Steve's work was phenomenal and I absolutely love it now - it displays so much better.

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n193/kjjavic/DSCF1221.jpg
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n193/kjjavic/M07QFinished.jpg
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n193/kjjavic/M07OFinished.jpg

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n193/kjjavic/leftdisplay1.jpg

[b.heagy]

I am going to add it to my collection for now. I just love the early football equipment. Makes great display pieces. Your ball turned out really nice. I like how the year is on the side, I always wanted to find one of those but no luck as of yet. That's a neat base you have there, where did you pick that up?

[kjjavic]

Hey Bill,

Yeah, I loved the fact that the year was written on it as well. I actually have a photo of the team (actually framed side by side photos of the 06 and 07 St Marks teams) that shows the captain holding this exact trophy ball. I also have one of their sweaters. As to the stand, I picked up a group of 3 brass stands in a box lot at an estate auction. I think they might be candle stands or something (obviously not intended for footballs :) ) but I liked the look of them, and thought they would look good displaying nearly 100 year old footballs. Here is a photo of the other 2 wtih a Princeton Columbia trophy ball on one.

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n193/kjjavic/Rightdisplay.jpg

[cohibasmoker]

I just wanted to share a nice experience I had regarding an old Football restoration. I bought an old "fixer upper" that was dried up and looked hopeless. I did as much work to it as I could trying to bring the leather back to life before sending it to Steve Hill at Hammer Sports Relics. I have to say, superb service all the way around. Great communication throughout the process and even sent me pictures of the ball when he finished it. I do not have the ball just yet as it is in the mail but I think the picture speaks for itself. The First pic is the ball as I purchased it, second pic is what I could do myself and the third pic is what Steve did. I opted to have the filler put in the ball instead of a new bladder. In the end it turns out to be a nice early melon ball. Can't wait til I get it. The price was very reasonable and I cannot wait to send in my next piece.

Bill, looks terrific. You forgot to state that Steve is a pretty nice guy.

[b.heagy]

Bill, looks terrific. You forgot to state that Steve is a pretty nice guy.

Jim,
You are 100% correct. Steve is a nice guy. I highly recommend to all.

[slidekellyslide]

If you don't mind me asking how much does Steve charge to do this service? Thanks.

[b.heagy]

This particular piece was only $60. I paid to ship it to Steve. Steve paid to have it shipped back and also included a wood football stand. I am very pleased with everything and will be sending more in soon.

[nyjetsfan14]

Wow, those look awesome fellas! I have often passed up on a vintage football because of condition but seeing how well all your footballs turned out and hearing how helpful the reconditioner is makes me want to scour for a fixer upper and send it in. Thanks for the great info and cool pics, hopefully I can share a similar story sometime in the near future.