Raw Babe Ruth Baseball Autograph - Opinions Requested Please

[meatloaf]

[QUOTE=dapro;1161692]Here are example of psa passed Ruths and it does look pretty close. How much is the seller looking to get?

Safety deposit box auction done by a company that does not know anything about sports cards or autos. Starting bid is $1750.

[thecatspajamas]

Originally Posted by meatloaf

Safety deposit box auction done by a company that does not know anything about sports cards or autos.

I'm picturing something slightly more upscale than an episode of Storage Wars. The company conducting the auction certainly would like to get as much money as possible, but the fact that they didn't lay out several hundred dollars and wait a couple months to get the item back from authentication doesn't seem at all surprising to me.

It doesn't make the auto any more or less real, but the fact that the selling agent didn't seek third party authentication prior to the auction just seems to reinforce the op's suggestion that the seller does not know anything about autos. (Otherwise, if they really wanted to maximize their return and knew what they were doing, why would they be selling it in a "safety deposit box auction" rather than a more traditional auction setting?)

I would guess there are also rules and/or laws in place governing the disposal of the contents of abandoned safety deposit boxes, though I have no specific knowledge of such.

[JimStinson]

I would tend to agree with Lance's observations, despite what you might think most people outside the hobby (and even some inside) have never HEARD of XYZ autograph authentication and could care less.

Have attached an image of a painting , I know nothing about art. If I found it in a storage locker it would go straight to the trash.

Actually its called "No. 5 1948" painted by Jackson Pollock and sold for 140 MILLION DOLLARS !!! in 2006
_______________________
jim@stinsonsports.com

BUYING BASEBALL AUTOGRAPHS
stinsonsports.com

[mr2686]

Jim, please email me the address where you dump your trash.

[travrosty]

[QUOTE=JimStinson;1162242]I would tend to agree with Lance's observations, despite what you might think most people outside the hobby (and even some inside) have never HEARD of XYZ autograph authentication and could care less.

Have attached an image of a painting , I know nothing about art. If I found it in a storage locker it would go straight to the trash.

Actually its called "No. 5 1948" painted by Jackson Pollock and sold for 140 MILLION DOLLARS !!! in 2006
_______________________


No, seriously, show the painting.

[meatloaf]

Assuming it is a legit auto, what would be the fair market value (at this time)? What would be the max you would pay? Once again, assume a legit auto and that I would eventually send off for authentication and possibly grading. $3k? $5k? $10k? >$10k? Meatloaf

[meatloaf]

Originally Posted by meatloaf

Assuming it is a legit auto, what would be the fair market value (at this time)? What would be the max you would pay? Once again, assume a legit auto and that I would eventually send off for authentication and possibly grading. $3k? $5k? $10k? >$10k? Meatloaf

There does appear to be some writing on the side of the ball. See pic. Not sure if that gibberish reduces the potential payoff value.

Meatloaf

[MooseDog]

Originally Posted by meatloaf

Assuming it is a legit auto, what would be the fair market value (at this time)? What would be the max you would pay? Once again, assume a legit auto and that I would eventually send off for authentication and possibly grading. $3k? $5k? $10k? >$10k? Meatloaf

Meatloaf -

You are asking the wrong question. Classic case of "Flipper's Dilemma". You see something that you don't have any expertise on, but you see a chance to make some money.

The question you need to ask is, "How much do you want to risk given the possible payoff?"

If the ball is passed by a TPA such as PSA or JSA it will cost you $250 or so. PSA will also grade the signature, and given the fading, doubtful it will grade really high. Let's say you got the ball for $2750 including buyer's premium plus the authentication fee, so now you are out $3000. Most auctions are "where is, as-is" so no recourse if the TPA says no good, and you don't get your money back for that either.

Without doing a lot of research, I see a ball recently sold on eBay that looks of similar quality for around $6000.

Do you are basically looking at a less than even money proposition after fees. Think of it like a horse race bet. You are betting $3000 to win. If the ball doesn't pass TPA then you basically have lost that money, unless of course you are willing to try and pass the ball off to someone else...maybe the auction house you bought it from would sell it again.

Personally I think it's a bad bet but if I were an expert on Ruth autographs (I'm not) and I felt good about this one that kind of tips things in my favor. You are doing right by asking for opinions here but unless you are willing to absorb a loss don't make the bet based on that. Back to the racetrack analogy, it would be the same as asking people who they like without doing your own handicapping.

[meatloaf]

Originally Posted by MooseDog

Meatloaf -

You are asking the wrong question. Classic case of "Flipper's Dilemma". You see something that you don't have any expertise on, but you see a chance to make some money.

The question you need to ask is, "How much do you want to risk given the possible payoff?"

If the ball is passed by a TPA such as PSA or JSA it will cost you $250 or so. PSA will also grade the signature, and given the fading, doubtful it will grade really high. Let's say you got the ball for $2750 including buyer's premium plus the authentication fee, so now you are out $3000. Most auctions are "where is, as-is" so no recourse if the TPA says no good, and you don't get your money back for that either.

Without doing a lot of research, I see a ball recently sold on eBay that looks of similar quality for around $6000.

Do you are basically looking at a less than even money proposition after fees. Think of it like a horse race bet. You are betting $3000 to win. If the ball doesn't pass TPA then you basically have lost that money, unless of course you are willing to try and pass the ball off to someone else...maybe the auction house you bought it from would sell it again.

Personally I think it's a bad bet but if I were an expert on Ruth autographs (I'm not) and I felt good about this one that kind of tips things in my favor. You are doing right by asking for opinions here but unless you are willing to absorb a loss don't make the bet based on that. Back to the racetrack analogy, it would be the same as asking people who they like without doing your own handicapping.

Great way to put it. Never looked at this situation from that perspective.