seeking opinions on '56 Topps Clemente

[itjclarke]

I purchased the Campanella ball here on BST. I have no questions about the seller's honesty/integrity, but am curious what others may think of this ball. Signed on an old MacGregor little league ball.
Roy Campanella signed ball.jpg

... and while I'm at it, curious what folks think about the Clemente. I picked this one up a few year ago raw. Rolled the dice on what I'm hoping is just a sloppy sig.
1956 Topps Roberto Clemente signed raw flash close.jpg
1956 Topps Roberto Clemente signed raw close.jpg

[vthobby]

I'm no expert but in my opinion I think the Clemente has a better shot than the Campy at being legit. Just my 2 cents.

Mike

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

That Campy is trying to emulate a post-accident example?! Hard pass. Hilariously, it appears that whoever signed it was trying to do a strange dance between pre- and post-accident versions.

Campy was incapable of signing the continuously round surface of baseballs after the accident. The only post-accident Campy balls you will want to own are Rawlings ONL Bill White with the Rawlings logo improperly stamped above the sweet spot. These were custom made for Campy to sign across the sweet spot as flat figure 8 pieces of leather which were later stitched up to complete the ball. The vast majority of these aren't pretty, and uneven toning over the years has certainly further destroyed a lot of their aesthetic, but this is what to purchase if you don't want to drop thousands on a pre-accident example.

That is one of the absolute messiest Clementes I have ever seen! It may in fact take the cake for the sloppiest. Do not be surprised if any TPA decides to go inconclusive on it, but it's good. Heck, they might even pass it, but they'd be wise to not dismiss it altogether.

[vthobby]

Well said on both accounts.

That Clemente like I said has a good chance. It looks like an early sig and a kid with a card and a ballpoint is not going to get the cleanest sig if he met Roberto at the park or wherever.

I really like the Clemente if you ever decide to move it.

Thanks!

[7nohitter]

Is Campyfan accepting a return on the ball?

[rand1com]

I don't like either one.

[itjclarke]

Originally Posted by vthobby

Well said on both accounts.

That Clemente like I said has a good chance. It looks like an early sig and a kid with a card and a ballpoint is not going to get the cleanest sig if he met Roberto at the park or wherever.

I really like the Clemente if you ever decide to move it.

Thanks!

Thanks for the opinions so far. Your mentioned scenario was my precise hope on the Clemente. Kid with card and pen at the ballpark, and he’s trying to sign it in hand, and basically whiffed on most of his opening R. The tail end of the sig looks like many of the examples I see out there. I may get it graded someday, then would consider moving it.

Re- Campy, I hadn’t imagined it as a post accident sig, as those were really choppy. I figured/hoped it was also maybe a rush job at the ballpark. Campyfan and I had a pre-sale agreement if it doesn’t pass TPG. I felt good dealing with him, and I decided to roll the dice a bit. So far seems opinions on it are all negative though.

[rand1com]

Zero chance the Campy is pre accident.

Good luck on the Clemente but I have serious doubts it could be authenticated by a third party.

[itjclarke]

Originally Posted by rand1com

Zero chance the Campy is pre accident.

Good luck on the Clemente but I have serious doubts it could be authenticated by a third party.

Thanks for the input. I'm not at all versed in the process and don't have a clear idea as to what will or won't pass and why. I've only submitted 2x items to TPA, one a Duke Snider rookie, which passed and one a very authentic in-person Waukesha Sport Cards' Hank Aaron rookie, which did not. The latter was frustrating and turned me off to the process. I have a lot of cards signed in person during childhood, which I'll never consider having authenticated. However on one like the Clemente, I feel like it's a must if I eventually sell.

[itjclarke]

Originally Posted by rand1com

Good luck on the Clemente but I have serious doubts it could be authenticated by a third party.

Well, I'm happy to learn that my '56 Clemente did pass PSA's auto authentication. SCP offered to have it checked for me, while grading some other items I consigned to them. Will be psyched to get it.