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One of the finest trophy baseballs in existence. Though no definitive history of the Trophy balls once displayed in the Unions' trophy case exists, it is known that many years ago (we believe prior to the 1940s), that the team's trophy balls were broken up from their original display case and scattered to the collecting winds. Today, it is very rare to find even a single example, and it is likely that many have not survived. A few can be found in the hobby's most advanced collections. A few have found their way over the years to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. All are extremely desirable and significant. However, we believe that the offered example is one of, if not the, finest of all known, not just because of its extraordinary condition, but because the game which is memorialized by the ball was played between the Resolutes and the Unions, making this one of the few Trophy Baseballs of the era known to exist involving two of the most significant clubs of the era. In addition, this is one of the few Trophy Balls known to exist dating from the heart of the Civil War years, which is extremely significant, especially as the popularity of the game spread across the country during the Civil War. The bright gold ball reads "1864/Sept 20th/Union 26/Resolute 19/9 Innings." A newspaper account of this game (a copy of which accompanies the lot) notes that this is the very first game these important clubs ever played together. All 1860s Trophy game balls are extremely rare, but one involving a game of such significance between two teams of this prominence is truly astounding. This ball has seen the auction block once before, when it was offered by Robert Edward Auctions way back in June of 1995. It has been consigned to this auction directly from the original 1995 purchaser. In 1995, the ball appeared as Lot #6 and sold for a then record price for a trophy baseball of $11,177. Excellent condition. Reserve $5,000. Estimate $10,000/$15,000. SOLD FOR $14,950.00