Thanks, David. If it did not have the aged varnish, would your opinion be more definite? I refinish antique pool cues and have both lacquer and Bullseye shellac handy. I suspect that if I am able to replicate the aged look, I could write 'Babe Ruth' on the ball myself and get away with it.
Given the prior responses here, I won't need much encouragement to try. David and Jay can vouch for this