(Item 36)

Rare Antique Scrimshaw Numbered Clay Billiard Ball Set

Circa 1800s

This is an exceptionally rare find for collectors of early billiard history and 19th-century gaming ephemera. These antique clay balls feature intricate scrimshaw-style numbered engravings, a decorative technique seldom seen on billiard equipment of this era.

Specifications & Details

  • Material: Authentic 19th-century clay composition.

  • Size: Standard $2\ 1/4″$ diameter.

  • Design: Distinctive “baseball” style numbering, executed with fine-line scrimshaw detailing.

  • Period: Produced during the mid-to-late 1800s, representing the transitional era of billiard ball manufacturing.

Collector’s Note: Due to the fragile nature of early clay sets, finding a numbered series in this condition is a significant discovery. This set is a high-priority acquisition for those documenting the evolution of the game.

WANTED: If you have information regarding the location of this specific set or similar scrimshaw clay examples, please reach out.