WANTED: Willie Mays to sign my 1960 NL Ball

[39special]

I would not try and get him to sign it.The ball looks good the way it is.

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by 39special

I would not try and get him to sign it.The ball looks good the way it is.

I totally agree!

If you send it why not wrap something around the ball (brown paper bag?) and cut out a "window" where you want him to try to scribble his signature. At least then if it sucks (which it likely will) it won't ruin the existing autos.

[Sophiedog]

Mays likes to sign upside down from the other signatures too. He's pretty much got all the ways down to ruin your ball.

[mdallen22]

I was told by the promoter this was a card only event and Willie is not doing any other signings in the near future. Since Willie is not doing any signings the promoter put out the offer of $1,000 for the signature and that didn't even guarantee it.

"I'd be open to taking the ball with me to be signed, however, I can't make a promise that it will get autographed as I've been informed that Willie will only sign cards. If interested, I would take the ball and offer Willie $1,000 to sign it. I know the price is steep but at this point Willie is no longer doing any signings, thus the high price."

So my question is - IF you were guaranteed a nice Willie signature just how you wanted it (lets just assume for purposes of this question) what would be your price to pay?

What would be your price to pay if you knew for a fact this was your last chance of getting his signature (I know that seems extreme but im curious what the answers would be). I'm afraid most of the board has spoken and said forget the signature the ball looks fine as it. Does your opinion change if risk of ruining it was taken off the table?

[drcy]

Why people pay in person prices for autographs with a resale market worth 1/20th the price is beyond me. What does a Mays autograph sell for these days? $40?

If the signer is gregarious and you get a snapshot with him I can understand paying a premium for the experience, but otherwise ...

Just my opinion, of course. It's your item and you can do as you wish.

[perezfan]

Agree....

Why would you even consider letting them "hold you hostage" for that obscene amount of money?

Mays' current signature doesn't even resemble the 1960 version. And even if he signed flawlessly (a big "if"), it would stand out like a sore thumb, and subsequently ruin the ball.

You have a very nice vintage piece there. The stamped Mays signature is part of the Ball's heritage, so try to be content with that. There are thousands of other Mays signed items available at a fraction of that outlandish price. So if you must have a modern Mays autograph, try to obtain one without corrupting a great vintage ball or paying 20 times what it is worth.