[Huck]

I just did a quick search using the words "football bladder repair" - I assumed you did not use Wilson so I moved on. I clicked on the first mom and pop outfit and on the front page of the website was the following -

"Why not send it into us for repair and revitalization? We'll replace the old bladder with a new Butyl Rubber bladder and re-lace it with genuine rubberized nylon football lace. We'll also lightly recondition the leather before returning it to you."

Check to see if the process is stated on the website. If the process in stated on the website, I think you are eating this one. At any time during the exchange of email messages did you state "DO NOT TOUCH THE AUTOGRAPH"? Frankly, I don't think the second ball is bad. Ray, died in 1998, so I would expect the football to have a bit of a frozen tundra patina. However, if you don't like it, it is like having a stain on your shirt that no one will notice but you know the stain is there. Common sense should dictate that one should not rub a conditioning ointment on an autograph, however the artisan replaces bladders he/she is not an autograph expert.

Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer, nor do I play one on television.