A scarce and intriguing pair of vintage baseball-themed novelties is presented. Includes: 1903 "Baseball Game Today" Mechanical Arcade Game (Green) - In the days before cable television, the sports ticker, and even electronic pinball machines, the baseball fan was left with only his imagination when the firsthand experience wasn’t accessible. Here offered is an antique hand-held game that hails from that bygone era. The 5”-diameter device – constructed of metal, wood, glass and cardboard – features a “diamond” design with illustrated player figures and holes representing specific actions. The piece’s game surface is equipped with a spinning “bat” at its center; this allowed the player to direct a rolling ball around the field. The intact and functional game displays moderate overall wear from use; 1900s “Keith's” Baseball Score Counter - Not specifically for umpires, but instead for enthusiastic fans, portable celluloid scorers like this bright, barely circulated example served as handy accessories to chronicle the play-by-play proceedings of a ballgame. Inside, a simple network of spools rotates on small steel grommets to record game activities. The 2-3/8” x 2-7/8”exterior – in the manner of the era’s “trade cards” – advertises the famous “Keith’s Continuous Vaudeville” show using a glove motif adorned with a colorful batter/catcher tableau.

Auction Notepad