Answering specific autograph authenticity questions and help

[Mr. Zipper]

Why was Mantle so adamant about not signing bats? Did he just not like signing them due to size, shape, etc?

Or did he think they were "worth too much"? If that was the case, just jack up the fee.

[shelly]

Why would you ask that question. . He would sign anything if the price was right. If you look on Ebay you will find Mantle bats that are authentic. Not only from Uda but at signings he did all over the country. The five hundred hr show. The Maris and Mantle bat. He signed a limited 1952 bat that is nineteen hundred and fifty two just for Uda.

[Mr. Zipper]

Originally Posted by shelly

Why would you ask that question. . He would sign anything if the price was right. If you look on Ebay you will find Mantle bats that are authentic. Not only from Uda but at signings he did all over the country. The five hundred hr show. The Maris and Mantle bat. He signed a limited 1952 bat that is nineteen hundred and fifty two just for Uda.

Of course I know he sometimes signed bats. But he didn't do it often and I've seen numerous stories where he refused to sign them. So why wouldn't I ask that question?

[kengoldin]

Its a matter of timing. Bill Russell didnt sign a single autograph, even for teammates for decades, shunned the autograph world, suddenly decides he wants the money, and signs one big deal, now he does card shows. Mike Marshall same can be said.
Mantle told my father and I he would NOT sign bats. said 'I have stopped signing bats' He signed bats last at the 500 hr show in atlantic city. He did NOT sign bats from late 1989-early 1993. He was annoyed at me because we gave Dimaggio triple the amount of money per year we gave him, so he signed a new deal with UDA as soon as his deal with me expired, and out of spite decided to sign bats for them as part of their deal.
It is normally about money in some manner. Either they want an incredilble price to do so, or they have put bats away for their kids and want them to be worth a lot when they die, or they signed an agreement excluding them from doing so for a certain period of time.

[shelly]

Originally Posted by Mr. Zipper

Of course I know he sometimes signed bats. But he didn't do it often and I've seen numerous stories where he refused to sign them. So why wouldn't I ask that question?

Most players did not sign bats because there was not that big demand. People with money and a place to show them would buy them. It took up time and space at shows. He signed thousands of bats and as you can see by there prices they are not in great demand. Look at the cost of doing them at that time and what they cost today. Joe d and Williams bats have actually lost money. Mantle did not want to do them because of time. Like I said if there where money on the table the bats where signed.

[Mr. Zipper]

Ken & Shelly

Thanks. This clarifies.

[frankh8147]

Ken,
I posted this card on another thread was was kindly re-directed here. I bought the below Maddux years ago and assume it is a fake but I have no expertise whatsoever in autographs so could you tell me if this auto is real or not? Thanks! -Frank

[kengoldin]

WHile SB did insert, in 1 product I believe, other companies autographed cards into a product, signed by players it had under contract, and used that seal, I am also told that after I was gone from SB people walked out with the seals, and that those corporate seals were counterfeited as well. In addition, Maddux was an expensive autograph at the time and SB did not have a lot extra to use, and typically the product would have been filled with players who SB had 'too many' autos remaining under contract in order to liquidate them.

With the above in mind, coupled with fact IMO it looks like an attempt to copy Maddux's signature , i would say not authentic.