Ruth and Gehrig Balls - Authentic?

[pscolgrafs]

Josh Gibson:

The one "authenticated" by Barry Halper is at the top.

Here is what is said about Josh Gibson in the "Baseball Hall of Fame Autographs Book" by Ron Keurajian:

The population of genuine speciments is likely between 10 and 20. Just about all Gibson material is in document form. I know of only one signed baseball, a team baseball of the Homestead Grays from either 1945 or 1946.

In closing: CCSA have sold hundreds and hundreds of Josh Gibson signed items and they usually sell for several hundred dollars. What is the value of a Gibson signature? In 2007, Lelands sold a 1939 contract for $32,862. A single signed baseball would most likely today sell for more than that. Possible $50,000. And look at these prices, folks.

[pscolgrafs]

Mickey Welch:

The one on top was "authenticated" by Barry Halper, and the second one is also be offered for auction this month.

Here is what is said about Mickey Welch in the "Baseball Hall of Fame Autographs Book" by Ron Keurajian:

I have never seen a genuinely signed photo, baseball, government postcard, or other non-document signed item. I estimate the market population of Welch signatures to be under five specimens.

In closing:

How much would an authentic Mickey Welch sell for? According to the book: Due to rarity, there have been no recent sales of Welch's signature. Would it be far fetched for a single signed ball to fetch $30,000 or more? Please note that it says in the description on the "Halper' one.:

This vintage, well used ball may be official, and comes black ink signed and dated by the late HOF'er from 1939. It was signed right across the sweet spot, shows off well from 12 feet away, and value with rhe included Barry Halper COA is thousands, IF you can find one.

"IF" you can find one. YOU HAVE TWO IN THIS AUCTION!!!!!

[pscolgrafs]

Jack Chesbro:

Here is what is said about Jack Chesbro in the "Baseball Hall of Fame Autographs Book" by Ron Keurajian:

The only paper specimen I know of in the open market is a signed bank check.

How much would an authentic Jack Chesbro sell for? Legendary just sold a signed check for $23,000.Would it be far fetched for a single signed ball to fetch $30,000 or more?

Actually Lee and Scott noted that the value is around $35,000, and what was the final price? $73.

They don't have on in this auction. Maybe next month.

You guys get the idea, and I could do this all day! :-0

[pscolgrafs]

This is one of my favorites. Kind of like ordering a cake over the phone:

"Hello"
"Yes, I would like to make an order." says the women.
"Okay, what would you like?"
"I would like to order an autographed Babe Ruth baseball."
"That is our best seller. Would you like to add an inscription or personalization? Home Run King? Date of the year of the shot? Great Bambino? George Herman Ruth? Lover of Easy Women? Babe Ruth #714? I Didn't Mean To Eat All Of Those Hot Dogs? There
is a slight surcharge."
"No thank you."
"Would you like to add another signature? We offer a discount for multiple signatures added.
We can add anyone within their lifetime. Lou Gehrig is very popular, but we will add anyone."
"Wait, my son loves math, can you add Albert Einstein below the Ruth signature?"
"We can do that. Anything else?"
"Can Einstein add E=MC2?"
"No problem."
"And can you get Babe to sign it "Hitting=Homers2? I think he will love it!"
"I think he will. We have never done a ball like this. This is very unique and truly one of a kind. Anything else? We offer a free dating service if interested."
"I'm flattered, but I am married"
"No, we date the balls with specific dates. It's our calling card. Like a grandfather's date of birth or the date the Titanic sank or something like that. It tells the customers that the item could have been signed that day, unlike balls that are not dated which may appear suspicious to collectors."
She thinks about this for a minute.
"When is grand papa's birthday?" she screams into another room.
"January 8, 1938'
"Great! He will love it! Anything else?"
"No, I think that will be all."
"It will be ready by Wednesday if you want to pick it up."
"Great, see you there!"

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by pscolgrafs

This is one of my favorites. Kind of like ordering a cake over the phone:

"Hello"
"Yes, I would like to make an order." says the women.
"Okay, what would you like?"
"I would like to order an autographed Babe Ruth baseball."
"That is our best seller. Would you like to add an inscription or personalization? Home Run King? Date of the year of the shot? Great Bambino? George Herman Ruth? Lover of Easy Women? Babe Ruth #714? I Didn't Mean To Eat All Of Those Hot Dogs? There
is a slight surcharge."
"No thank you."
"Would you like to add another signature? We offer a discount for multiple signatures added.
We can add anyone within their lifetime. Lou Gehrig is very popular, but we will add anyone."
"Wait, my son loves math, can you add Albert Einstein below the Ruth signature?"
"We can do that. Anything else?"
"Can Einstein add E=MC2?"
"No problem."
"And can you get Babe to sign it "Hitting=Homers2? I think he will love it!"
"I think he will. We have never done a ball like this. This is very unique and truly one of a kind. Anything else? We offer a free dating service if interested."
"I'm flattered, but I am married"
"No, we date the balls with specific dates. It's our calling card. Like a grandfather's date of birth or the date the Titanic sank or something like that. It tells the customers that the item could have been signed that day, unlike balls that are not dated which may appear suspicious to collectors."
She thinks about this for a minute.
"When is grand papa's birthday?" she screams into another room.
"January 8, 1938'
"Great! He will love it! Anything else?"
"No, I think that will be all."
"It will be ready by Wednesday if you want to pick it up."
"Great, see you there!"

That's both incredibly sad and hysterically funny at the same time.
I have to admit that I almost spit out my sip of coffee while reading your post.

[tinkereversandme]

One of the funniest things I have read in a long time. Great job Pscol! I suppose a large majority of the people here are in the know but it doesn't necessarily mean that everyone knows and it should not be assumed even if it protects one possible buyer from making a mistake. I am sure some sort of law enforcement has been notified of this or read this forum and it gives them a start. I personally find these Coach's Corner threads amusing and they often get attacked but honestly in searches they come up and there is some hope for me at least that justice will be served. Honestly, when it comes to this business you really have to ask yourself what the purpose was of those busts if they would ignore this collecting sector for the future. I realize the world has problems and resources are not available to focus on forgers and distributors but it is still a crime and this is a problem and by viewing the above, how can you ignore this anymore? This thread is great but I think I can point a view eye balls in the direction of someone who may care about this and essentially all you need to do is find one guy who is as outraged as we all are. Great work Pscol!

Regards,

Larry

[VAYankee]

Originally Posted by Scott Garner

That's both incredibly sad and hysterically funny at the same time.
I have to admit that I almost spit out my sip of coffee while reading your post.

Reading through the pretend dialogue was funny enough, it's when I saw the picture that followed was when I lost it!!

[RichardSimon]

Originally Posted by Scott Garner

That's both incredibly sad and hysterically funny at the same time.
I have to admit that I almost spit out my sip of coffee while reading your post.

He is a funny boy.
.

[VAYankee]

So I'm curious as to who people believe is/are the best auction house(s). Heritage I'd assume is one, Lelands? SCP? Hunt? Legendary? RR? Grey Flannel?

[Klrdds]

I have bought and buy from those AHs you listed and others as well. I believe that people develop AH loyalty as they develop dealer loyalty for the most part . I believe it becomes personal preference in most cases. Obviously product selection, specialty offerings , fast shipping, conflict resolution, and buyer's premium also are in the mix, as well as the important one of reputation ( no shill bidding, etc...).

[Sophiedog]

Originally Posted by VAYankee

So I'm curious as to who people believe is/are the best auction house(s). Heritage I'd assume is one, Lelands? SCP? Hunt? Legendary? RR? Grey Flannel?

I've dealt with SCP and Hunt and always had good results

[djson1]

Originally Posted by VAYankee

So I'm curious as to who people believe is/are the best auction house(s). Heritage I'd assume is one, Lelands? SCP? Hunt? Legendary? RR? Grey Flannel?

Just remember, even with these larger and well known auctions houses, you STILL need to be very careful. I buy from Heritage as well, but I would NEVER believe that all their items are put up there with expert knowledge. I've seen some blatant forgeries and mistakes in descriptions on their site. To their credit, they do remove items if you point it out to them and they revisit the listing. It just surprises me that some crap does get listed there in the first place though. Just recently, they listed a Lakers floor board with the description saying it was signed by Wilt Chamberlain, along with others. But Wilt didn't sign it....his name was just written on it by somebody else. They took this item off though after it was pointed out.