Let's see your interesting Mickeys

[Sophiedog]

Originally Posted by Runscott

The early Mantles are always interesting to see. I don't bother getting into this discussion any more, as the non-owners do not respond and it just creates hostile reactions from the owners, but I would like to see a discussion on early Mantle secretarials. As some have noted, the post-60's are pretty much the only ones that are forged, but there are a helluva lot of early 1950's secretarial signatures out there, and most are proudly displayed as authentic. Sucks to see that happening, as I'm sure they are expensive, but it's going to keep happening if we refuse to discuss it.

I think this a great discussion Scott! There are a lot of fake Mantles from the 1950's around. There are lots of collectors "proudly displaying"their 50's Mantle signatures as real and they are not; and they all seem to come with a story of how they were acquired...(from the people selling them as real) I met Mantle in the hotel lobby back in 1951...or...I saw him playing golf and got this signed in 1953. There are real ones as well but you have to do your research as his signature changed a lot through the years. Team baseballs from 1958 on are almost non exsistant from what I've read from 1958 on as Mantle had someone sign for him...All Star balls are almost all signed by Mantle because his signer wasn't available.
What do others think?

[Sophiedog]

Any thoughts?

[mcgwirecom]

Not mine but saw this a while back. Forget where but that Mick would write just about anything...

[JoeDfan]

My only Mick autograph, on a 1957 team ball. Until I buy another one, that is!

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by Sophiedog

I think this a great discussion Scott! There are a lot of fake Mantles from the 1950's around. There are lots of collectors "proudly displaying"their 50's Mantle signatures as real and they are not; and they all seem to come with a story of how they were acquired...(from the people selling them as real) I met Mantle in the hotel lobby back in 1951...or...I saw him playing golf and got this signed in 1953. There are real ones as well but you have to do your research as his signature changed a lot through the years. Team baseballs from 1958 on are almost non exsistant from what I've read from 1958 on as Mantle had someone sign for him...All Star balls are almost all signed by Mantle because his signer wasn't available.
What do others think?

Never going to happen.

[feano1]

This is my only Mick, but one of my favorites though and hard to find


Mick.jpg

[Duluth Eskimo]

No one is biting yet

[itjclarke]

I mentioned this ball earlier in the thread and was at my bank today, so decided to take and post some pics (please pardon the crappy images, phone cam and poor lighting).

This was signed during Mantle's monster 1950 season in Joplin. Not too much styling back then, and definitely no loopy M's yet.

[almostdone]

Originally Posted by itjclarke

I mentioned this ball earlier in the thread and was at my bank today, so decided to take and post some pics (please pardon the crappy images, phone cam and poor lighting).

This was signed during Mantle's monster 1950 season in Joplin. Not too much styling back then, and definitely no loopy M's yet.

Very nice ball. I see the 52 Topps in the background. Makes me curious what else is stashed away at the bank.
Drew

[itjclarke]

Originally Posted by almostdone

Very nice ball. I see the 52 Topps in the background. Makes me curious what else is stashed away at the bank.
Drew

Ha, I don't even know if I could list the contents anymore. There's a lifetime worth of collecting stuffed into that box. I feel pretty safe keeping the bulk of my biggies there, but do rotate 1 or 2 out at a time, and always keep a few favorites nearby to get my nightly fix. If you wanna take a peak, my avatar is my safe deposit box.

Re- my Mantle ball, I'd be curious, does anyone have an idea as to market value? I don't plan to ever ever sell it, and don't have illusions as to its being incredibly valuable, but do wonder what it might bring at auction. I feel the other players' sigs (Joplin and Enid players) should pretty definitively date it as a minor league Mantle sig, and figure those may be relatively scarce.