SPALDING'S TRADE-MARKED CATCHERS' MASK.

The suit for infringement on Catchers' Masks brought against us by F. W.
Thayer of Boston was, after a two years' litigation, decided against us in
the U. S. District Court, and in settlement for back damages we arranged
to protect all of our customers.

Ball players and dealers in Base Ball Goods are cautioned against buying
any Catchers' Masks unless made under license from Thayer, and plainly
stamped "Manufactured under Thayer's Patent."

At present it would be considered unsafe and even dangerous for a catcher
to face the swift underhand throwing of the present day unless protected
by a reliable mask. The increased demand for these goods has brought
manufacturers into the field who, having no reputation to sustain, have
vied with each other to see how _cheaply_ they could make a so-called
mask, and in consequence have ignored the essential qualification,
_strength_. A cheaply made, inferior quality of mask is much worse than no
protection at all, for a broken wire, or one that will not stand the force
of the ball without caving in, is liable to disfigure a player for life.
Our trade-marked masks are made of the very best hard wire, plated to
prevent rusting, and well trimmed, and every one is a thorough face
protector. We make them in four grades, as described below:

Beware of counterfeits. _None genuine without our trade-mark stamped on
each mask._

[Illustration: No. 3-0 Mask.]

[Illustration: No. 2-0 Mask.]