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Up for sale is an incredibly rare piece of college football and military sports history: an authentic 1930s Spalding J5-V Intercollegiate football, custom-stamped for the Naval Academy Athletic Association (N.A.A.A.). This ball was manufactured specifically for or issued directly to the Navy Midshipmen football program in Annapolis, Maryland during the interwar golden era of college football.Markings & Authenticity Identifiers:
- Institutional Branding: Clear, crisp "N.A.A.A." block stamping on the primary panel directly below the laces.
- Factory Model Text: Features the highly coveted, widely-spaced vintage factory "J5" stamp on the left flank and "V" (Valve) stamp on the right flank.
- Under close lighting, capitalized "B****S" ink text is visible along the panel seam
- Inflation Specifications: Features the original integrated flush inflation valve with faint "INFLATE TO 13 LBS" stamping instructions still legible nearby.
Condition Report:
This ball is in excellent unrestored vintage condition, showing a phenomenal, deep-caramel leather patina built up over nearly a century. The pebbled leather texture remains thick and distinct. The original rawhide laces are fully intact and tightly bound. The ball has not been treated with modern oils or harsh cleaning chemicals, leaving the delicate factory text and team ink completely safe from bleeding or fading. It does not currently hold air pressure (standard for an original 1930s rubber internal bladder), but holds its shape exceptionally well for display.Please review all macro photos carefully to judge the surface condition and text visibility for yourself.Shipping & Handling:
Will be packed with extreme care using professional padding to preserve its structural shape during transit
