Babe & Lou 1927 Signed Ball

[Chubby Chic Mantiques]

I have verified that the barnstorming duo did play at Fireman's Park in Fresno, CA on October 29, 1927... but I assume anyone with intent to create a nice fake could look up that info. Still, the writing with the location & date looks vintage.

What do you all think? I bought this from someone who said his father found it in a closet he was cleaning out.

[Michael B]

I will let the experts on the signatures opine on them but there is an awful lot of feathering on the signatures. It looks like someone sanded down the ball then added the signatures after.

[t206trader]

The Ruth sig is not typical and the wear does not appear to be legitimate. If it were legit this would be a fantastic piece, unfortunately no good IMO.

[sphere and ash]

The stitching does not appear to be consistent with a 1927 ball. It is, however, very difficult to be definitive working from a photograph.

[w7imel]

Looks like a reproduction piece for sure. I have seen this one many times on Ebay in reproduction stuff.

[w7imel]

The Ruth sig is not typical and the wear does not appear to be legitimate. If it were legit this would be a fantastic piece, unfortunately no good IMO.

That is a typical Ruth signature just not a real one.

[Bpm0014]

Looks like a reproduction piece for sure.

It is. And "Babe" is just a tad too spaced out. No good.

[Mr. Zipper]

A toned ball with areas of fresh white that appear to be sanded. Never a good sign.

[RichardSimon]

This ball is getting around.
It was offered to me privately a few days ago.
It was "found" in a private home that just changed hands. :).
Yeah, I know that happens every day :).
I passed on it.

[Snapolit1]

This ball is getting around.
It was offered to me privately a few days ago.
It was "found" in a private home that just changed hands. :).
Yeah, I know that happens every day :).
I passed on it.

People often put autographed Babe Ruth balls in attics and forget all about them. Happens more often that you'd ever imagine. (Note: has to be the attic. No other room will suffice.)

[Stampsfan]

People often put autographed Babe Ruth balls in attics and forget all about them. Happens more often that you'd ever imagine. (Note: has to be the attic. No other room will suffice.)

LOL yeah.

If or when I ever get a Ruth signed ball, that's where I'll be storing it.

[ATP]

LOL yeah.

If or when I ever get a Ruth signed ball, that's where I'll be storing it.

A barn is always a good option as well :)

[David Atkatz]

Two "signatures." Two different pens. (Note the thickness of the lines.)
Identical ink color.
Hmmm...

[David Atkatz]

Oh. And you can add the fact that the Gehrig is a 1929-1930 style signature. He didn't begin signing with the large "L" and "G" loops until '29, and the style didn't last long.
Of course, he could have signed a 1927 AOL ball years later, but the India ink label rules that out.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

I have an uncle whose mother ran into Babe Ruth and had nothing for him to sign. He keeps what might be the only 1940's era signed white ladies tennis shoe on a shelf, not in the attic. Have to tell him he's doing it wrong.