Heritage

Albert Goodwill Spalding was born in Byron, Illinois, in 1850. Spalding’s talent for baseball became apparent from a young age and he was only 22 when he debuted in the top American league, the NA (National Association). Along with his outstanding athletic achievements Spalding also displayed a remarkable entrepreneurial spirit as a young man: his deep-rooted passion for baseball led him to take part in the creation of the current National League (NL) in 1876, introducing rules and standards which, to this day, are still part of modern baseball.

Spalding made his own personal contribution to this wave of innovations by creating the first official National league baseball ball in the small shop his family had recently opened in Chicago.

With just 800 dollars as his initial investments, and only five years from his debut, Albert Goodwill founded Spalding. As well as the famous baseball ball the company made significant changes to the equipment used in the sport: gloves, footwear with cleats and uniforms, all designed to improve performance.

Spalding's pioneering spirit led it to pursue technical excellence and innovation in other sports equipment as well: from 1880 to 1898, the Spalding Company achieved an enviable series of firsts: it created the first tennis ball, football ball, and golf ball for the United States, and designed the world's first basketball. The first Spalding Shop opened in 1885 on New York City's most prestigious street, Fifth Avenue. This iconic, gentlemen-only store was created to provide all the necessary support to promising young college athletes from across the East Coast. From this exclusive shop, the Spalding Company took its full name: AG Spalding & Bros., 520 Fifth Avenue, NY.

Over its 135-plus years of success, the Spalding Company has evolved and updated to keep pace with, if not ahead of, the times. Alongside its sportswear offering, it has also developed a line of high-end accessories and leather goods, designed to appeal to a wider audience, not just athletes, while always remaining true to the Spalding philosophy. The spirit of its founder remains intact in all these offerings: from handbags to stationery, from watches to wallets: meticulously finished leather, unmistakable detail, the vintage feel of America's golden years, reimagined with exquisitely contemporary appeal. Elegance and personality, from Albert Spalding to the present day, distinguish the AG Spalding & Bros. line and make it a prestigious must-have for those who share its style.

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