Game ball with "Provenance"

[TriplexXxSports]

Re: Game ball with "Provenance"

I really need to get a life....lol. Here are pictures of the various models used and the timeline in which they were used. These are in order.

Wilson Remake of the Original - 1941-1970

Pete Rozelle Model - 1971-1989

Paul Tagliabue Model - 1990-2005

Current Model - 2006-Present.

Looks like our ball in question does indeed fit in the 1971-1989 timeline making it impossible to match the ball being sold to the original LOA dating the ball to the '60's.

Here's the images for comparison:

.

[cohibasmoker]

Re: Game ball with "Provenance"

From 1941 through 1969, Duke footballs were used exclusively by the NFL. As the NFL Commissioners changed, so did the commissioner's name on the footballs.

1941 - 1946 - George Layden;
1947 - 1959 - Bert Bell;
1959 - 1987 - Pete Rozelle;

Through the years, there were other subtle changes as to what was actually printed on the ball. For example, for a three year stretch (1950-53) the balls had American and National Division on them. The league then merged and the balls had Eastern/Western Conference. They used natural color footballs, white footballs and even a yellow football.

Regardless of the variations in the labeling of the footballs, there are two things that are consistent with all of the footballs that were used by the NFL from 1941 through 1969, "The Duke" always appeared on one panel and "Thorp Sporting Goods" appeared on the other.

When the NFL merged with the AFL in 1970, the NFL used a one year style "Block labeled" ball. In 1971, the NFL switched over to the small NFL style of labeling.

Jim

flaa1a@comcast.net

[TriplexXxSports]

Re: Game ball with "Provenance"

Jim, great info! I really do learn something new every day....

[Rob]

Re: Game ball with "Provenance"

Jim,

In regards to the "Eagles" that is written on the ball, was that placed by the NFL for the game?


Happy New Year!



Rob

[cohibasmoker]

Re: Game ball with "Provenance"

Jim,

In regards to the "Eagles" that is written on the ball, was that placed by the NFL for the game?


Happy New Year!



Rob

Rob - This football has quite a story to it. The Eagles had just completed a practice at the Vet in 1971. The last guy to leave was a place kicker who had just completed some practice kicks. After he was done, all of the footballs were collected except this football. It was left on the field lying between the pads and the field. No-one saw it except me. After everyone left, I walked over and just picked it up.

I kept it up and until the early 1980's. A collecting buddy kept bugging me for it until I finally relented and traded the football to him with the promise that when he decided to get rid of the football, I would get first dibs at it. As friendships usually go, we parted ways - part of the problem was he lived in Cleveland and I lived in New Joysey.

About two (2) years ago, I saw it on eBay. I could NOT believe my eyes. To make a long story short, I wanted it so bad that I waited until the last seconds to bid and my max bid was $500.00. As luck would have it, I got the football for less than $100.00.

So, it's back home and that is where its going to stay. The way you see it is the way it appeared in 1971. Who wrote "EAGLES" on the football? Probably Rusty Sweeney or one of his staff members.

Jim