Glove Experts - OK, what did I buy?

[Rob L]

Hi Joe,

I actually wasn't figuring this to be a non-webbed glove also, particularly because of the laced bottom. I was more interested in the white leather and was intrigued by the possibility that it might be non-webbed. I was thinking more along the lines of the 1900s, but I will check the webbing issue immediately.

Rob

[Rob L]

Oops, I was mistaken regarding the lacing on the bottom of the glove. I was checking out the Smithsonian collections book last night and noticed that Gallagher has an 1890s glove that does have the same shape and lacing on the bottom of the glove.

Rob

[vintagesportscollector]

Nice. I'm at work now but will check out the Smithsonian book when I get home. I sent Rob Mucha an email to get his opinion..figured he would know best. The more examples I see the more I think it could be 1890's...but the combination of features just seems to make it look more recent. Could it possibly be a more recent, say 1910s, hybrid glove that was made w/o a web? I don't think I have ever seen a webless from era. If it was truly made w/o a web then I think its very rare regardless of the exacy date.

[Rob L]

Hi Joe, check out the spiral palmed glove in the Smithsonian. It is the glove that I was referring to.

I emailed the seller to let him know I sent payment and asked a few additional questions. There is apparently no obvious manufacturers mark on the button. I told him about the debate regarding the web and asked that he check the stitching tightness, seam gaps or an extra layer of leather within the seam where a web could have been cut. He indicated that the stitching is very tight and that there are no gaps in the seam or or extra leather between the seams. This is intriguing!!

Rob L

[mjkm90]

Hi Rob. I love a good glove mystery . It looks like a c.1910 glove based on the size of the thumb, width of the strap, width of the heal and heal lacing. I've seen laced heal gloves from the 1890 time frame, but they looked more workman like. It is a very nice looking glove in great shape. It could be a transition glove also.

[vintagesportscollector]

Rob- I'd agree with Mike that it looks 1910s for the same reasons he described, but there are many exceptions/variations out there especially if this is some sort of hybrid/transtion glove. I looked at the spiral glove in the Smith book and it's hard to use that as a comparison,IMO. Who am I to question Gallacher(or Wong) but I'd question if that was really an 1890s glove without seeing an example in some catalog from that period.

Still continues to be a nice mystery...we need to dig up a catalog from 1890 - 1910 that shows some exampe of this type of glove. All I have are the old Spalding's online which don't show anything like this that is webless.

[ebbets55]

Hi Joe,

I didn't know that was you. I took another look at your collection. Wow! That was fun to see again. I would love to share some pictures but I haven't moved into the 21st century yet. Maybe Rob or Rob can help me post some pictures. Nice to hear from you.

Let me know if anyone comes across any hard to find glove oils or conditioners.

Rob L - can't wait to see that glove. I can fax or PDF anyone some of those old catalogue and book pages if they want them.

JD

[Rob L]

Hey all,

The glove arrived today. Like we all ultimately figured in the end, it was a bust. Definitely a webbed glove with the webbing removed. Oh well, it was a fun gamble

Rob L

[mjkm90]

Sorry about that Rob. We've all been there buddy. I paid $100 for a reproduction cabinet photo several years ago. Say, what did you pay for it anyway?