O/T: But some really cool autograph items

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Posted By: Bryan Long

I spoke with Leon before posting this because I know it is off-topic. Please don't throw stones too hard. I just thought these were some really cool vintage baseball items. On a recent trip I spoke with a lady that owns a shop in autographed items. These two items were in her store. If the money was available to me I would buy them for myself, but the price is pretty high for someone like me. I thought they were really cool items and wanted to share them with the rest of the group. For you big boys with the cash - they are for sale, even though the price is too much for my wallet. Cool stuff none-the-less.


1939 Hall Of Fame - Very first Hall Of Fame Induction
25 players were inducted - The 11 living members signed this bat June 12,1939
Babe Ruth - Johannes Wagner - Cornelius Mack - Walter Johnson - Tristram Speaker
Edward Collins Sr. - Denton Young - Tyrus Cobb - George Sisler - Grover Alexander
Napolion Lajoie - Christopher Rick - The 12th signature is that of Ford Frick.


Little League Uniform - Signed by Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth
This uniform was never worn by either of the players but assumed to have been worn by a child who sought their autographs. Lou Gehrig's signature is on the left sleeve and
Babe Ruth's is on the pants.

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Posted By: Judge Dred

OK, how much is the bat?

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Posted By: Bryan Long

I meant to add them but forgot. The bat is priced at $85,000 and the other is priced at $18,500.
I have no idea if those are good prices or not, and to be honest didn't bother to ask.

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Posted By: Ben

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Posted By: Douglas

If I remember correctly, these items are in a memorabilia store in Las Vegas. Is that correct? I've bought a few items there, but I've found them to be very expensive. They mostly deal with movies, rock and roll, and some history. Beautiful stuff, but they charge a ton.

Doug

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Posted By: Bryan Long

I spoke with Wendy there for quite a long time. I thought the prices were crazy too but I really didn't have a clue since I don't deal in autographs. It was a great store and the people were very friendly to me, even though I walked out without buying a single item. I more or less just wanted to get opinions on how rare the bat was. Can't be too many of them hanging around places.

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Posted By: DJ

The truth of the matter is that the prices aren't that outrageous. A signed 1939 Induction baseball I believe sold for $77K a few years ago and the 1939 Induction complete signed photo at Sothebys sold for $63K in 2000.

Is this rare? If authentic, it certainly is. Back in the late nineties, 'fraudulent pieces' were all over eBay and you could actually pick up bats like this for $2,000 with a 'forensic' LOA.

I would be curious how much this would sell for in a glossy catalog and if the authenticators, whether it be PSA/DNA or JSA would pass the item.

I remember hitting up every Sportscard and Memorabilia shop while I was there about five years ago and the prices on or near the strip reflect the booming wealth of the now-overcrowded city. I saw a signed 8x10 of Muhammad Ali for a mere $799. Yeah, that's reasonable.

DJ

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Posted By: Bryan Long

They told me that they use a person by the name of Cristopher Moralis (sp?). They said he used to work for the FBI or something in the handwriting section or something along those lines. The name sounds familiar to me but I'm not sure why.

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Posted By: scgaynor

Whenever somebody tells you that they use a forensic "expert" with the FBI, be very, very, very careful!

It is amazing how many ex-FBI forensic agents are running around authenticating sports autographs, who somehow keep "authenticating" fake autographs. I assume they no longer work for the FBI because they sucked at thier jobs.

Scott

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Posted By: DJ

Yeah, forensics.

Morales does a great deal of authenticating for 'Coach's Corner' in Sports Collector's Digest.

DJ

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Posted By: Sean Coe

I think they mean Christopher Morales. He is Coaches Corner authenticator of choice. Enough said.