Bocce Ball

[MarkTK36thIL]

A CW artifact collector contacted me with an unusual find, and that is what appears to be a set of CW bocce balls or something similar that was brought home with the officer from Salisbury Prison, NC back home to Wisconsin. I'm not familiar with the history of the game, but it is an interesting find. Does anyone have period accounts or information about the game or something similar?
Thanks,
Mark

[crabby]

Re: Bocce Ball

Mark,
Here is a link from Google Books to "Games and Sports for Young Boys", published in 1859. The chapter, Games With Balls starts on page 31. Maybe one of them match what your friend has?

http://books.google.com/books?id=IkECAAAAQAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=intitle:games+intitle:for+intitle:boys&hl=en&sa=X&ei=WQWfU42cEYuUyAStx4CABQ&ved=0CEkQ6AEwCA#v=onepage&q&f=false

Here is another book published in 1866, "The Playground or Outdoor Games for Boys". Starting on page 116 are several games played with balls. Check out the description for Lawn Billiards.

http://books.google.com/books?id=rZoEAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=intitle:games+intitle:for+intitle:boys&hl=en&sa=X&ei=4AmfU7XqJYOfyASmo4KIBA&ved=0COEBEOgBMC4#v=onepage&q&f=false

[BobRoeder]

Re: Bocce Ball

Probably for playing "game of bowls", aka "lawn bowl"s. Been around for many centuries in one form or another.

[MarkTK36thIL]

Re: Bocce Ball

This will help.

[Cumpston1862]

Re: Bocce Ball

Mark-

Is the soldier picture the supposed owner of the set? The uniform he is wearing looks more 1870s-1880s.

[MarkTK36thIL]

Re: Bocce Ball

I'm not for certain. I wouldn't say yes or no until I can figure out who the Capt. is, and then see if he hadn't had enough of the War, and reenlisted. But you're right, it's definitely post-war by several years. The CDV I have of a 22nd US Inf. officer has him wearing pretty much CW officer attire- private purchase sack coat, sky blue trousers, kepi, etc.

[Steve Acker]

Re: Bocce Ball

Mark,

Too bad you didn't bring it with you on Saturday. If you find out more about the regiment and the owner, let me know. I checked the Salisbury records and the only Ford was a Henry Ford of the 15th Mass.


Steve Acker

[Scott Sheets]

Re: Bocce Ball

Mark,
Bring it by sometime so we can look at the assembly of the case, but it looks postwar to me. The rivet style appears to be a later style from what I can see in the picture.