Rare 1920's Spalding 6-Lace Football J5L-V: the "v" indicated the football had Spalding's new inflation valve, which allowed the ball to be inflated without removing the laces to access the bladder. Based on the 1927 Spalding catalog, the patent had not yet been issued. The J is only barely visible in the right light, but 5L-V is still visible. The original rawhide lace has been replaced. Spalding only made these 6-laced footballs in 1926, 1927, and 1928 as far as we can find.