Schmidt - Is it a real signature? Or: He signs so much, does it really matter...
 

First off, I have a ton of signed Schmidt items since, like a number of other HoFers, there's nothing he won't sign. So, don't feel bad if you have an opinion on this one.

This was probably given to me around 1988 for Christmas by an uncle. Looking at my other 20 or so Schmidt autos, this one sticks out like a sore thumb. Schmidt's signature is fairly easy to recognize, usually at a slight angle, big M, big S, t crossed through the d.

2 glaring problems I see on mine are the M (no lead in to the letter, maybe the way he was holding) and the S is different than 99% of his autographs I've seen.

Here's the ball:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8385/8...c119eae1_z.jpg

That said, I did find a ball authenticated on Ebay that has a similar "S". And the K and E in his first name look spot on between mine and the Ebay listing. So, that may take away some of my issues.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/230953529396...84.m1423.l2649

NINJA EDIT -- This is actually the one with the similar S.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/281012734132...84.m1423.l2649

What do you think? Again, we're not talking big ticket and I have a number of them, so, you're not costing me a vacation ticket if you have an opinion. Just curious, it'll stay on my shelf regardless.

Thanks guys. Love your detective work.

Schmidt's signature changed over time but I wouldn't be comfortable with that ball.

I believe it is an early 80's example. Is it a Feeney?

Not a Feeney. Its not a Major League baseball.

DOH! Didn't see the forest for the trees. :o

Ha yeah, it's....we'll say it's a great gift to give an 8 year old before he turns 34 and wonders about it's authenticity.

I am not familiar enough with Schmidt's signature variations over the years to comment on it, but this strikes me...

You've had this ball since 1988. At that time he was not a HOFer, a relatively low value autograph, and probably a low risk for forgery. Doubtful any skilled forger was doing single signed Schmidt balls in 1988 or before.

There is the possibility of a clubhouse signature, but I'd be surprised if this was a malicious forgery.

Attachment 95677Attachment 95675 early sig.

Of course Shelly is correct
this is part of a promotion that was done in the early 80s i believe with a number of Phillies players.
Steve Carlton Mike Schmidt, Larry Bowa and I believe Pete Rose all signed a number of these baseballs. They were marketing in the philadelphia and south jersey area. I know, as a teenager I owned the full set

Where's the smilie? :):):)

:):):):):D

Steve, he had his 500th in 1987 and he retired in 1989! He was a stone-cold lock.
There were forgeries of his when I started collecting (again) in '81, and a TON by the time I was a dealer in '85. But that WAS in Philly area, so maybe it was just concentrated.

Wow... Thanks for the info. How much was it selling for back in those days?

I remember the cheapest you could get being < $10 for a card, $10-15 for a scorebook or something like that, and $15-20 for a crappy 8th gen photo. Balls were usually priced in the $50 range but could be had for $30.
Nice/unique stuff would have a major premium. :)

That's a lot higher than I would have thought. You can get a Schmidt ball today for less (adjusted for inflation.) :D

He would sign for Sally Struthers Christian Charity. I think at that time it was 10 dollars a ball.:)

Remember those were Philly/ NJ / DE prices I'm sure it was less in Texas. ;)

JimStinson
 

He is impossible to sell............except for the price of the ball and holder. Who cares ?
_______________________
jim@stinsonsports.com

Well *I* care.

Right, look, you could send Michael Jack 10,000 cards today and you'd get 10,000 back signed before the Masters ended. I get it. But, as an 8-10 year old who IDOLIZED him, getting this for Christmas was like....Christmas.

Shelly, link you put up isn't working for me, maybe you can repost unless I'm missing something.

To others, thanks for the inputs. Very appreciated, thanks for putting up with my query. Got responses from a lot of folks I certainly trust in here. It's staying on the wall regardless, but, glad to spin up a couple posts in the process. :)

One of my fondest memories from my childhood was opening up my Christmas gift from my father (I was about 10 at the time) and finding a signed ball from my idol. Glad to see that yours is real (link wouldn't work for me either, but I am assuming that was Shell's opinion on this?).