Vintage Goldsmith Mort Cooper 'Soft Ball' Mitt
Sports Memorabilia / Decorative Object, Leather Catcher's Mitt • Manufactured by P. Goldsmith Sons, Inc. (later MacGregor Goldsmith), Cincinnati, Ohio
Style & Movement
Mid-century American Sporting Goods / Industrial Design
Medium & Technique
Tanned leather with silver foil or ink heat-stamping and cotton/wool stitching
Creation Period
Circa 1940-1949
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 9 x 9 inches; three-dimensional ergonomic format
Subject Description
A professional-grade softball mitt featuring 'Soft Ball' and 'Goldsmith' branding. The palm is stamped with 'Inner Greased Palm' and model number '130', indicating a design meant for durability and pocket flexibility.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good; shows significant mechanical wear consistent with active use, characterized by heavy creasing and loss of silvering in the stamps.
Estimated Market Value
$40 - $85 USD
Auction Estimate
$30 - $60 USD
Provenance History
Likely a consumer-purchased item from the mid-20th century; bears the manufacturer's mark 'Cincinnati, Ohio' which was the hub for Goldsmith production.
Art Historical Significance
A representative example of pre-merger Goldsmith sporting equipment. Goldsmith was a major innovator in padded glove technology and the 'Greased Palm' feature was a significant marketing point for player comfort in the 1940s.
Notable Features
Distinctive 'Soft Ball' arch-stamping and the 'Inner Greased Palm' trademark, which are highly desirable to collectors of vintage Cincinnati-manufactured sporting goods.
Condition Issues
Drying of the leather, significant abrasion to the silver-leaf stamps, deep 'pocket' creasing, and typical surface oxidation from age.
Conservation Recommendations
Apply high-quality leather conditioner (lexol or beeswax-based) to prevent cracking; store in a humidity-controlled environment away from direct sunlight to preserve remaining stamps.