Lou Gehrig Autograph?

[johnmh71]

This is a preview of the new Auction Hunters episode tonight:

http://www.spike.com/video-clips/68t...cebook_auction

It looks like a rough signature either way on what may be a team ball. What is your opinion? Real or fake?

[yanks12025]

Looks good to me.

[Pickles]

It looks like this ball was auctioned recently, BST, with a JSA Cert

http://www.bst-auctions.com/1937-Wor...al-LOT673.aspx

[gnaz01]

Originally Posted by Pickles

It looks like this ball was auctioned recently, BST, with a JSA Cert

http://www.bst-auctions.com/1937-Wor...al-LOT673.aspx

Are you saying these "reality" shows are set up, say it ain't so!!!!!

[Pickles]

The cert is dated Sep 2014, sale took place on Feb 2015, so it depends on when the episode was filmed. I recall someone mentioned the Ball was listed on eBay before the BST, with a dealer (not a casual seller) but I can not verify.

It does make for an interesting provenance, or real good advertising (self promotion) . I want to watch the show now.....

[vthobby]

It's real.

Mike

[Pickles]

I have to say it is a bold signature, perhaps a bit stronger than Gehrig 7 in Keurajian's book (p120) I have not tried to price the Gehrig ball, this one is not great, but also is not bad. EBay lists them in the $4k-$6Kk range (but fish are not biting at this price)

This one went for about $1650. Is that the "going market rate" or was this an aberration. ( There is a solid Lazzeri as well on the ball, but, according to the cert, JoeDM and Lefty are ClubHouse)?

I found the show listing and plan to watch it tonight.

Last thought: Let's assume that the "reality" is "somewhat staged" and this ball may have been put in the locker for promo purposes. How far would the producers go to make sure they put a legitimate ball in play? (This is why I am interested in the timing of the filming vs the cert.....

[Pickles]

Having looked at the ball, the cert, the postings, I believe the ball is real. The show, I am not so sure.

http://www.spike.com/video-clips/tly...s-worth-10-000

[Mr. Zipper]

Those storage unit "reality" shows are a total joke. In my opinion, they are almost all staged. How many times have we seen priceless rarities stashed in the same lockers that are brimming with cheap plastic toys, broken MDF furniture and musty clothes? Does that make any sense?

[JollyElm]

Originally Posted by Mr. Zipper

Those storage unit "reality" shows are a total joke. In my opinion, they are almost all staged. How many times have we seen priceless rarities stashed in the same lockers that are brimming with cheap plastic toys, broken MDF furniture and musty clothes? Does that make any sense?

Plus, basic logic. If someone wasn't going to (or couldn't) pay their storage bill, why in heck wouldn't they go there and grab up all the valuable stuff before they were shut out from the unit for good????

[Mr. Zipper]

Yep. Can't afford the $99 a month, but has $50,000 worth of four wheelers and a copy of Amazing Fantasy 15.

[Pickles]

Although the logic is sound, not 100% effective. A possible, not high probability, explanation: Owner passed away, no known heirs, or heirs may not know about the storage space.......

Having said that, Anderson, Bench and 1937 NYY WSC balls and nothing else? Hard to visualize the collector's logic. Might have been more believable with balls of the same age, same team, HOFers,.... but this is definitely an eclectic mix.

Since the cert (auction) was done in Sept 2014, and the episode is believed to have been filmed in Nov, it is even harder to connect dots...

[Mr. Zipper]

Originally Posted by Pickles

Although the logic is sound, not 100% effective. A possible, not high probability, explanation: Owner passed away, no known heirs, or heirs may not know about the storage space.

While this may happen on rare occasion, certainly not nearly enough to fuel weekly episodes a half dozen or so shows.