Looking for HELP! 1948 Lincoln A's Autographed Team ball with Nellie Fox Bobby Shantz

[Golfcollector]

I am taking this to the National and attempting to sell this for a friend of mine that picked this up in Lincoln NE. But first I am trying to be sure it is in fact authentic

This is a 1948 Lincoln Athletics Minor League team autogrpahed ball. This ball has a number of signature, including 2 or 3 I cannot really make out as I cannot locate the player on a roster and/of the signature if pretty faded.

Here is the complete list

MGR James Deshong
Rony Brusco
George Lebedz
Jim Vojesik
Walt Novek
Nellie Fox
Bobby Shantz
Joe Aliperto
Ed Boehm
Frtiz Bernadini
Tom Kirk
Ray Partee
Al Bower
Bob Palash
Bob Kennedy
Bob Wellman
Ray ZImmerman


The good news in the Fox and Shantz autos are two of the stronger ones on the ball. The Fox has the distinctive "hook" in the letter F, But he has signed his first name "Nellie" which I have not seen before.. Interestingly the ball that is signed is a Ford Frick Spalding Official National League ball but the ball appears to be the 1949 Model of the Ford Frick ball. However it does have a side panel stamp that has (first name obscured by auto) Johnson President Western League on the ball.

Any opinions on authenticity would be appreciated. I am not sure if it is worth spending the money to get it authenticated, but it has to be one of the earlier Fox autos in existence if it is in deed authentic. Will try and get some photos posted later.