This variety was reported as growing on Orcas as early as 1891, though under the name Fall Pippen (S.R.S. Gray reported that Fall Pippin was being "erroneously called Golden Ball"). We have documented a living Golden Ball tree growing in one of the oldest orchards on Orcas: planted by Mary and Louis Cayou at Deer Harbor in the 1860s. This variety originated in Maine sometime before 1837. It is a seedling of Drap d'Or de Bretagna, an ancient French variety brought to Maine in the 1600s. Golden Ball is a large, sweet green apple, that does not keep well.
You can view a watercolor of Golden Ball in the USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection.