Schmidt - Is it a real signature? Or: He signs so much, does it really matter...

[bigwinnerx]

First off, I have a ton of signed Schmidt items since, like a number of other HoFers, there's nothing he won't sign. So, don't feel bad if you have an opinion on this one.

This was probably given to me around 1988 for Christmas by an uncle. Looking at my other 20 or so Schmidt autos, this one sticks out like a sore thumb. Schmidt's signature is fairly easy to recognize, usually at a slight angle, big M, big S, t crossed through the d.

2 glaring problems I see on mine are the M (no lead in to the letter, maybe the way he was holding) and the S is different than 99% of his autographs I've seen.

Here's the ball:



That said, I did find a ball authenticated on Ebay that has a similar "S". And the K and E in his first name look spot on between mine and the Ebay listing. So, that may take away some of my issues.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/230953529396...84.m1423.l2649

NINJA EDIT -- This is actually the one with the similar S.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/281012734132...84.m1423.l2649

What do you think? Again, we're not talking big ticket and I have a number of them, so, you're not costing me a vacation ticket if you have an opinion. Just curious, it'll stay on my shelf regardless.

Thanks guys. Love your detective work.