Babe Ruth barn find. single-signed ball. 96 years in my family

[nondescript]

Update! See my updated post below.

[pokerplyr80]

That's pretty cool. We see plenty of attic finds in this hobby, but barn finds are usually reserved for rare cars. I would send this into PSA if it were my ball. Since it seems you're not familiar with the process I would check out their website, then call to have them walk you through the process. As for selling the ball I'd wait until it's authenticated then either list for sale here or send to an auction house like heritage.

[vthobby]

Awesome! Welcome to the boards! Is your grandfather pictured in one of the photos you provided? That would be incredible provenance!

My advice:

Go to this link:
https://www.psacard.com/services/aut...uthentication/

Follow the 4 steps listed and send the baseball via insured mail or Fedex to PSA/DNA. This will be the best service to maximize your investment. By investment I mean your time to research PSA/DNA and the time to get it sent to them and of course the cost of authentication.

I personally would not have it slabbed in a PSA/DNA ball cube. You can do that yourself for less than $5 (ball cube).

Your total cost might be under $400 with shipping to and from and authentication but you could spend more if you are impatient and want it back quicker.

Beautiful item BTW! Thanks for sharing!

Peace, Mike

PS Babe Ruth fee is $300 from PSA/DNA to have them look at it. If its real then its $300, if they consider it "not authentic", its also $300! My hunch is that your $300 will be well spent! You will also have to pay the premium item fee of $25 since I assume you will declare its value more than $1000. They will ask you if you want a Full letter upgrade for $10 but just ignore that because your authentication fee is so high, they will provide a Full Letter if they determine it authentic. Good luck and please share the results when you get this museum piece back!

[nondescript]

I had checked out PSA in advance of this post, but wanted to find out if there were additional services that should be considered. I assume PSA is the gold standard?
In addition to the authentication services, should I have the ball and signature graded? Is that necessary, or advisable, for maximizing auction outcome?

Rough ballpark range of value?

[vthobby]

PSA is your best route. There are others but if you want to maximize your return......

Do not grade the Auto or the Ball. Auto is faded as shown and will grade low. The ball is not an Official ball and should not be graded as it shows its age. No need for grades here.

Just get this beauty authenticated as is.

Good luck!

Mike

[swarmee]

Agreed; Most of the Babe in his name is faded, so the auto should not be graded.

[EvilKing00]

Its deff his signature, but only question is if its a replica or not. I dont collect sigs at all, but looking at the ink it would appear to be real. You should post this autograph section of this forum, im sure there are experts there who can better help you. Good luck

[rats60]

Originally Posted by nondescript

I came across this site while doing some research on my grandfather's baseball. This ball was signed on October 25th, 1934 on board the RMS Japanese Empress Steamship by Babe Ruth.

As you may know, the MLB all stars left Vancouver Canada on October 20th on their way to their history making tour.


Ball is designated Official League ball. It has alternating red and blue stitching.

I'm looking to get some information on how to authenticate it, determine its value, and sell it. Might you be able to help?

Best authentication services? Should I have the ball and signature graded and the ball encased? Thank you in advance for your guidance.

Warmest regards

If you are wanting to sell it, you should contact an auction house like Robert Edward Auctions or Heritage Auctions. They will get it authenticated for you at a much lower rate than PSA charges the public and sell it for you in their next auction.

[Boccabella]

Sure looks like the ball is dated "1924" not '34--especially considering the use of quotes around his first name. The Babe was in the Bay Area in October 1924, playing exhibition games and making personal appearances. That's likely the origin. He signed thousands of baseballs on trips like this.

Here's some newspaper coverage from an appearance in San Francisco and a preview of his visit to Oakland--and below that an ad from the SF Examiner with an offer you can't refuse. "Hey Fellers!"

[Michael B]

I can see 1934 not 1924. The top of the '3' is visible. Part of it is missing, but still a 3.

[baseball tourist]

Originally Posted by Michael B

I can see 1934 not 1924. The top of the '3' is visible. Part of it is missing, but still a 3.

Look at the “2” in “25”’above it. They are both the same, just a little longer tail on the bottom “2”, to my eye.

[Bpm0014]

I can see 1934 not 1924. The top of the '3' is visible. Part of it is missing, but still a 3.

It is undeniably, and with 100% certainty, that it is a "2" and not a "3". Thus the year is (without question) 1924. The signature in question matches up perfectly with a 1924 time frame signature. His 1934 signature, while similar, looks nothing like this exemplar.