Babe Ruth Ball Rejected by Heritage

[David Atkatz]

Originally Posted by egri

Is it just me, or does the Ruth look like ballpoint? If so, that would be another giveaway, as ballpoints didn't become popular until the mid-fifties.

Towards the end of his life, Ruth signed quite a few postcard-sized photos in ballpoint.

[slidekellyslide]

This is a baseball I used to own, it's a Goldsmith 97 League baseball and it's signed by the 1938 Clinton Owls of the Three I League. Goldsmith was still using black and red stitching in 1938

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by slidekellyslide

This is a baseball I used to own, it's a Goldsmith 97 League baseball and it's signed by the 1938 Clinton Owls of the Three I League. Goldsmith was still using black and red stitching in 1938

Hi Dan,
I'm quite certain that Goldsmith used the black and red stitching in 1939 as well.
After Vander Meer's unprecedented back-to-back no-hitters in 1938, Goldsmith signed Vandy to a lucrative endorsement deal that debuted in the 1939 season.
The 1939 version of their Official League ball w/ Vandy had black and red stitching. In 1940 or 1941 they went to all red stitching. I believe that the transition year was 1940, FWIW.

[Snapolit1]

I don't know how you guys shell out big bucks for Ruth autographs. I can't do it. To me there is so much fraud in this end of the pool I just can't even stick a toe in.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

I don't know how you guys shell out big bucks for Ruth autographs. I can't do it. To me there is so much fraud in this end of the pool I just can't even stick a toe in.

It's really a shame you feel that way - it's a very special moment when an authentic Ruth-signed item arrives in the mail. Glad to say I've had it happen three times and hope it happens at least once more.

[Bpm0014]

It's really a shame you feel that way - it's a very special moment when an authentic Ruth-signed item arrives in the mail. Glad to say I've had it happen three times and hope it happens at least once more.

Well said. If you do your homework, and don't just purchase an autograph blindly, or simply rely on a cert, the outcome can be much more enjoyable.

[perezfan]

Agree. It's like any other segment of collecting...

Know your stuff, do the necessary legwork, and subsequently you won't get burned. Most of us have made a few mistakes along the way, and there is a definite learning curve. There are fakes, fantasies and reproductions of almost every segment this hobby has to offer... Broadsides, Pennants, Ad Signs, Fans, Bats, Gloves, Balls, Statues, Programs, Cards, and yes- autographs.

But we learn from the mistakes and move on. There are many Ruth autos out there that I'd feel 100% comfortable with. OK, maybe 99.9%