Made in 1905 by Alex Marling & George Smith, of Aberdeen, Scotland, this St. Nicholas ball shows no use.  There is some slight crazing in its original paint, which is normal.  In this case, where the letters on the poles are not in a different color, the crazing tells us that the paint is old, and the the ball has not been repainted.  The square stud inside a circle pattern is rarely seen and quite desirable.  

One Pole is stamped with "St Nicolas" while the other is stamped with the makers initials and location "M&S Aberdeen."