Some recent estate auction pickups

[kjjavic]

I picked up an old trunk full of sports stuff at an estate auction last night. The items of note in it were an old leather sewn laced basketball, 2 old footballs, and 3 older softballs.
The basketball isn't in great shape, but the laces are in good shape. It is marked USA and has other markings that I can't make out.
The footballs both have identical markings:
SPECIAL SERVIES
U.S. ARMY
Youth?
Offical
312?

Both have nice patina to the leather and have nice laces.

Lastly there are 3 softballs. I don't know anything about softballs and if older ones have any value. 2 of them are wilson concealed stich softballs but both are very faded and dont look that nice. The third one is a Rawlings Official Indoor Outdoor "The Protex Sewn"
It is marked:
No 412
12 inch Size
Kapok center
Horsehide Cover.
US patents No 1861.157
No 1980.472.
This third softball is also marked: SPECIAL SERVICES US ARMY

Any idea on age of these items? I was guessing 20's for both the basketball and footballs. I was trying to date the softball by using the patents but no luck there, not really sure I did that right though.
If anyone collects softball stuff let me know, as I don't plan on keeping these.
I will also probably be selling or trading the basketball. The footballs I will probably keep as they fit nicely with my collection.

Thanks
Keith

http://www.geocities.com/buddyryanisgod/estategroup.JPG
http://www.geocities.com/buddyryanisgod/estategroup2.JPG

http://www.geocities.com/buddyryanisgod/estategroup3.JPG

[kjjavic]

Sorry for the photo size, and the other accidental post. I coudln't figure out how to delete it.

[vintagesportscollector]

I can't see any pictures - only red 'X's.

[kjjavic]

Sorry, damn geocities. I tried photobucket instead, here we go.

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

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n193/kjjavic/estategroup2.jpg

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n193/kjjavic/estategroup3.jpg

[imlemonysnicket]

Hi

I saw your post and I'm interested in purchasing/trading for your vintage basketball. I've been looking for one to put in my library at school and yours looks like it fits the bill. Let me know how much you are looking to get for it or what you would be interested in trading for. Thanks

[slidekellyslide]

Good stuff Keith. I've never seen that Rawlings indoor/outdoor ball before.