In the life of a sporting pupil at Rugby School. His kit would not be complete without his "Puntabout".

To this day.... most boys in schools around the world wait in anticipation for the "Break time" bell to ring. Armed with their tennis ball they congregate on the school playground. Coats & bags down for goals and a game of sorts commencs. Rules change daily. Number in each side differ pending on who turns up, the rubbish kid who's picked last is told "your in goal", but he doesn't mind because he's still in the gang. Half way through the game players swap loyalty and play for their opponent because one side was getting thrashed. The boy who owns the ball decides he's captain, nobody argues. The ball goes onto a roof and Jack-the-Lad shows off his climbing dexterity in exchange for a cheer from his mates and detention if caught. The break-time bell rings again and coats and bags are collected. "Remember who's team your on for lunchtime" as the boys disperse for their next lessons.

Nothing has changed.

The Button Ball of yesterday becomes the tennis ball of today.

The original "Puntabout". 

The Quadrugger "Puntabout" Button Ball circa 1862.

Courtesy of Rusty MacLean esq, chief archivist, Rugby School Museum. Rugby.

This Puntabout Button ball was discovered in a blocked-up chimney behind the wooden panels of Old Big School, the original schoolroom off "Old Quad" Rugby School.

It is the only original known to survive. This Puntabout Button Ball held the remains of one of Richard Lindons very first India Rubber inflatable bladders. Within a very short period of time the rubber bladders shape allowed good pressure into the ends of the ball and redefined stitching techniques removed the need for the "button" and was replaced by the 4 panel buttonless ball.