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View Full Version : Bert Bell / Thorp Sporting Goods NFL game ball



46+
09-29-2009, 05:36 PM
Note: The following info is "to-the-best-of-my-knowledge." My deceased brother-in-law (let's call him "Richard") is unavailable for verification.

Richard never missed a chance to make a buck at an odd job. My sister (Richard's still-greaving widow) is certain that Richard was working such a job at a Cleveland Browns home game sometime in the 1950's when he was fortunate enought to recover this ball from the stands.

This is a "Bert Bell" ball. For reference, see the post by "cohibasmoker" last year: http://www.gameuseduniverse.com/vb_forum/showthread.php?t=13543

Here are a couple of pix:

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg229/tg580/football-6-600.jpg

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg229/tg580/football-4-600.jpg

If anyone would like a different view, e-mail me at tedgay@twcny.rr.com

The laces are brittle. Of the 8 rows of lacing, 5 have lost the top lace layer, as seen in the first photo. Note the small scuff (recent?) at top-left in the first photo; all other blems show age. I have not inflated the ball - it has some air, perhaps original. It is exactly as I recovered it from my sister's basement.

$360 postpaid in the USA.

Ted

46+
10-01-2009, 10:07 AM
Item no longer available.

cohibasmoker
10-03-2009, 11:51 AM
Awesome piece of NFL history - Thanks again

Jim

flaa1a@comcast.net