Ruth/Gehrig Help, Thoughts, Ideas for research

[cottnat]

Originally Posted by JimStinson

Bingo !

I am fairly new to this era of baseball memorabilia (never thought I would be in a position to own a ball like this).

Is there something specific to Giard & Grabowski that help the chances of this ball being legitimate or was it more out of curiosity?

[David Atkatz]

Giard is one of the "keys" to a '27 ball, having only played for the Yanks that year. Grabowski's is a fairly rare signature, as he died in a house fire in the 1940s.
Neither signature makes it more likely the ball is genuine; in fact, if one were to forge a '27 ball, either (or both) would most likely be there.
What leads us to believe the ball is genuine is the fact that he ball is right, and the signatures are right. As Jim pointed out for the Gehrig signature--which changed quite a bit over the years--the signature is correct for the time. That holds true for other signatures as well.
From a vintage Yankee collector's (me) point of view, it's too bad that the aviation signatures appear. (And I'm a pilot, as well.) But it is a very rare and desirable ball, in rather good shape.
Congratulations on a great acquisition.

[cottnat]

Thanks x1000 for all the help. It makes me feel a lot better about the purchase to this point. Any idea on the value on this if PSA authenticates all the signatures? I only have $1,000 into it (plus the authentication costs) so if it is authentic, I will have found a steal on good ole craigslist.

Any opinions on how to go about having PSA look at it? I have some people that say DONT SHIP IT. I have some saying bring it personally to a show, I have some say even if they think its good at a show, they will want to bring it to CA anyway.

[David Atkatz]

That's easily a $15,000+ baseball.

[cottnat]

Sorry for all the questions, this is just completely new territory to me. What is the best way to go about preserving this ball? Its in sort of a crummy case at this point.

[David Atkatz]

Put it in a ball cube, touch only the seams, and keep it away from bright lights and especially sunlight.
It lasted this long by basically being left alone. Keep that up.

[cottnat]

Originally Posted by David Atkatz

Put it in a ball cube, touch only the seams, and keep it away from bright lights and especially sunlight.
It lasted this long by basically being left alone. Keep that up.

Should I leave the black base that the baseballs now come with or let it sit on the 3 prong base? Or am I over thinking it?

[isaac2004]

Craigslist? You found a ball that clean, great find. Hot damn get that authenticated, the Ruth and Gehrig are in great shape

[steve B]

Some info about the national air derby in 1927.

Wood was a contestant in a race from NY to spokane.
http://www.drshute.com/archives/000108.html

And a pic of the WACO 8 - the only one made and their first cabin plane seating 6.
http://www.aerofiles.com/waco-8x.jpg

Interestingly the info I can find says the waco 8 was built in 1924 and sold to a KC company that used it for aerial mapping.

One of the pictures of Woods Baby Ruth plane which is also a WACO shows an 8 on the tail. I'm thinking that was the race number, since there are also pics out there with it numbered 4 and 118

Woods Baby Ruth plane is still around, freshly restored.
http://flyingantiqueairplanes.blogsp...1_archive.html

Baby Ruth also sponsored some Waco 9s and at one point promoted the candy by throwing a bunch of it out of the plane.
Makes me wonder if the ball wasn't a similar item, tossed from the plane or as a prize with a ticket tossed along with the candy?

Really cool item overall, and some research could make it even cooler.

Maybe contacting the WACO club?

http://www.nationalwacoclub.com/


Steve B

[JimStinson]

Thats the first thing I think I've ever seen come out of Craigs list that wasn't overpriced "junk" or fake. Nice snag !
What I'd suggest you do now is start marketing your own line of laminated four leaf clover key rings and rabbits feet, because you've earned the handle of "Mr Lucky"
_________________________
Buying and selling vintage autographs for over three decades
jim@stinsonsports.com

[JimStinson]

Originally Posted by cottnat

I am fairly new to this era of baseball memorabilia (never thought I would be in a position to own a ball like this).

Is there something specific to Giard & Grabowski that help the chances of this ball being legitimate or was it more out of curiosity?

In addition to attempting to help you specify the year, the reason I asked about Joe Giard is that (on paper) his autograph alone is more valuable than either Babe Ruth or Lou Gehrig.
__________________________
Buying and Selling Vintage autographs for over three decades
jim@stinsonsports.com

[cottnat]

Originally Posted by JimStinson

In addition to attempting to help you specify the year, the reason I asked about Joe Giard is that (on paper) his autograph alone is more valuable than either Babe Ruth or Lou Gehrig.
__________________________
Buying and Selling Vintage autographs for over three decades
jim@stinsonsports.com

Very interesting. What makes him so tough or rare? Why is it that his auto on paper is worth so much more than on a ball? Is his auto on the ball I have make it worth the $15,000+ or is it more so Ruth/Gehrig doing that?

Sorry for so many more questions, I just find this fascinating.

[David Atkatz]

Giard is rarer on paper items than he is on team baseballs. In addition some people construct framed and matted signature displays of all members of the team, and to do so, you need a Giard.
What makes your ball valuable is that it's a reasonably complete 1927 Yankees team ball, in very good condition. It is the most desired of all team balls--many collector's "Holy Grail."
The key to a particularly desirable 1927 ball is the presence of all the starter's signatures, along with those of the primary pitchers. After that, it's nice to have the rarer autographs--especially manager Huggins--but Giard's presence or absence does not change the value of the ball much, if at all.

[cottnat]

Makes sense, thanks again for the insight and help. I couldn't help but keep checking this site from time to time all day today and last night just to keep learning more about it. I really do appreciate all the feedback and expertise.

[cottnat]

Final Pics before I put it away in a safe today. Just thought I would share pictures with a little more detail to confirm signatures on the ball.

Sweet Spot:
Babe Ruth


Panel 1: top to bottom
Myles Thomas
Earle Combs
Julie Wera
Cedric Durst
Miller Huggins, but seems off? Other ideas?
Pilot signatures including John P Wood?




Panel 2: top to bottom
Lou Gehrig
George Pipgras
Mark Koenig
Mike Gazella
Bob Meusel
Herb Pennock
Bob Shawkey



Panel 3: top to bottom
Wilcy Moore
Urban Shocker
Pat Collins
Dutch Ruether
Joe Giard



Panel 4: top to bottom
John Grabowski
Joe Dugan
Ben Paschal
Mystery signature?
Waite Hoyt



Ball Decals:

[David Atkatz]

The "mystery signature" is that of coach Don Miller.