A newbie autograph ball question
 

I am new to collecting autographs. I am drawn to, as a lot of collectors are, to signatures on baseballs but I have a few questions I was hoping for some clarity.

I have noticed some browning on slightly older balls in varying degrees. What is it from and how would I protect my collection from getting them or from getting worse?

Also, how much does it affect the value. I'm sure it have to do with the individual collecting as well as the severity and placement of the spotting but does it affect it greatly like centering or worn corners on cards or just a bit?

Thanks in advance for any insight. Any other help would be appreciated in tis new collecting area as well.

Thanks,
Drew

The browning is called toning, and it comes from oils from fingers that have touched the ball. The only thing you can do is to make sure it's handled with care from as soon as you get the ball...pre or post sig. Handle by the threads and or use gloves to handle the ball.
Value of the ball would depend on the sigs. I've seen people that wanted full price for toned Mantle balls, but I doubt they get the price since many good ones can be found without toning. Supply and demand is what really drives the price.

In my experience, the older balls will tone, and the newer ROMLBs seem to have a tendency to get oil spots. Not sure if there is a correlation for sure, but just what I have noticed.

I initially tried to "upgrade" each ball I got if some toning became evident, but then after awhile, I sort of like the look as long as it is evenly toned. As the previous poster said, the value is likely to drop a bit, but it also gives you some leverage for purchases if you dont mind yourself. Just be careful of those selling something as snow white and then you get it and it has toning. I have had about a half a dozen instances of this on ebay.

I saw the other day a fully toned mantle ball went for $350. I guess some people likes the toned vintage look too.

I don't know if I buy the "finger oils" theory. This doesn't explain why some balls get spotty, some get splotchy, and some just tone into a nice, even cream color.

All balls will eventually tone, I believe. But as for which will turn splotchy, well, that's a crapshoot. I know a lot of people who would pay a lot of money to know which balls do which.

Ken

PS: Despite me disagreeing with the "oily fingers" theory from mr2686, he is 100% correct to always handle the ball by the threads and not the leather.

I have had boxes of balls from the 70s and 80s that were new in the case and never handled. Some toned a lot, some just spotted, some stayed pretty white, and some turned a nice cream color.

Doesn't matter if the balls are touched or not.

So does sunlight or humidity have anything to do with it? A friend told me he thought it was because it was not stores properly (ie. in a cardboard box, with out a case in a high humidity area like attic or basement). I really don't know.
The toning doesn't really bother me but I have seen a few where the worst splotches are right over the signature and then it absolutly takes away from the asthetic appeal for me.

Drew

let me clarify...spotty and splotchy are more from the finger oils. Overall toning can be from too much sunlight. I've got almost all of my balls from the 80's that I pretty much handled with great care and keep in UV cases and very very very...did I say very?...very few have splotches or toning of any kind.

Agreed. I do not buy the finger oil theory except in limited cases where someone had REALLY greasy fingers.

In my opinion, toning and/or dark spots are caused by oils and chemicals inside the leather over time. There is nothing you can do about it... luck of the draw.

I have had baseballs purchased and signed at the same time and stored in the same dark, cool closet... ten years later one is toned with dark blotches and the other is a clean even creamy white.

By the way, humidity and uv rays are both killers for autographed balls. Do whatever you can do to eliminate both.

Certainly hot and humid storage conditions will accelerate aging in about any organic material -- leather or paper.

So I should take them out of my bathroom window display? Just kidding. All of my collectables are stored in a dark room (no outside light) that is climate controlled. I just hope it enough.
Drew