A newbie autograph ball question

[earlywynnfan]

I don't know if I buy the "finger oils" theory. This doesn't explain why some balls get spotty, some get splotchy, and some just tone into a nice, even cream color.

All balls will eventually tone, I believe. But as for which will turn splotchy, well, that's a crapshoot. I know a lot of people who would pay a lot of money to know which balls do which.

Ken

PS: Despite me disagreeing with the "oily fingers" theory from mr2686, he is 100% correct to always handle the ball by the threads and not the leather.

[Big Dave]

I have had boxes of balls from the 70s and 80s that were new in the case and never handled. Some toned a lot, some just spotted, some stayed pretty white, and some turned a nice cream color.

Doesn't matter if the balls are touched or not.

[almostdone]

So does sunlight or humidity have anything to do with it? A friend told me he thought it was because it was not stores properly (ie. in a cardboard box, with out a case in a high humidity area like attic or basement). I really don't know.
The toning doesn't really bother me but I have seen a few where the worst splotches are right over the signature and then it absolutly takes away from the asthetic appeal for me.

Drew

[mr2686]

let me clarify...spotty and splotchy are more from the finger oils. Overall toning can be from too much sunlight. I've got almost all of my balls from the 80's that I pretty much handled with great care and keep in UV cases and very very very...did I say very?...very few have splotches or toning of any kind.

[mr2686]

By the way, humidity and uv rays are both killers for autographed balls. Do whatever you can do to eliminate both.

[Mr. Zipper]

Originally Posted by almostdone

So does sunlight or humidity have anything to do with it? A friend told me he thought it was because it was not stores properly (ie. in a cardboard box, with out a case in a high humidity area like attic or basement). I really don't know.
The toning doesn't really bother me but I have seen a few where the worst splotches are right over the signature and then it absolutly takes away from the asthetic appeal for me.

Drew

Certainly hot and humid storage conditions will accelerate aging in about any organic material -- leather or paper.

[almostdone]

So I should take them out of my bathroom window display? Just kidding. All of my collectables are stored in a dark room (no outside light) that is climate controlled. I just hope it enough.
Drew

[Mr. Zipper]

Originally Posted by earlywynnfan

I don't know if I buy the "finger oils" theory. This doesn't explain why some balls get spotty, some get splotchy, and some just tone into a nice, even cream color.

Agreed. I do not buy the finger oil theory except in limited cases where someone had REALLY greasy fingers.

In my opinion, toning and/or dark spots are caused by oils and chemicals inside the leather over time. There is nothing you can do about it... luck of the draw.

I have had baseballs purchased and signed at the same time and stored in the same dark, cool closet... ten years later one is toned with dark blotches and the other is a clean even creamy white.