Is this Fountain Pen?

[vintagesportscollector]

I know little about fountain pens, but it doesn't look like it was written with a fountain pen. What are you trying to determine? If it is an authentic ball that could have been hit by Collins?

Eddie Collins with Chicago WS would put it 1915 to 1926. Are there any signs of this being a Reach OAL ball from that period? any markings left on the ball?

[irv]

I know squat about baseballs and signatures but if I were to come across this and someone were trying to pass this off as being signed/written a 100+ years ago, I'd walk away.

Maybe that would be a big mistake, but going with my gut, I'd be happy with my decision.

[Michael B]

This looks like a Flair pen written within the last few months and scuffed to look old. Fountain pen would have aged along with the ball. I would guess that if you put this under a UV light the writing would glow showing the ink is post WWII/atomic bomb era. Also, if the person who wrote this lived in Chicago it is not very likely they would misspell the name of the city - 'Chicogo'.

[EYECOLLECTVINTAGE]

Originally Posted by Michael B

This looks like a Flair pen written within the last few months and scuffed to look old. Fountain pen would have aged along with the ball. I would guess that if you put this under a UV light the writing would glow showing the ink is post WWII/atomic bomb era. Also, if the person who wrote this lived in Chicago it is not very likely they would misspell the name of the city - 'Chicogo'.

THANKS! would a black light work? I am gonan do this now and let you know the results.

[drcy]

As is my saying, "It's your money."

[EYECOLLECTVINTAGE]

Originally Posted by drcy

As is my saying, "It's your money."

I obviously do not want a fake which is why I am asking.

Originally Posted by Michael B

This looks like a Flair pen written within the last few months and scuffed to look old. Fountain pen would have aged along with the ball. I would guess that if you put this under a UV light the writing would glow showing the ink is post WWII/atomic bomb era. Also, if the person who wrote this lived in Chicago it is not very likely they would misspell the name of the city - 'Chicogo'.

Here are photos under a black light. Let me know your analysis please.

[drcy]

If you can't infer from posts, my vote would be pass.

If you really want an old time game used ball, I'd get one with exceptional and iron clad provenance, such as from a player's estate. There also are trophy balls-- painted up or signed by the team--, that were usually used in the game. Though provenance for these still is important. They can be found (follow the big auctions and respected dealers) and exist for both baseballs and footballs.

[Scott Garner]

The short answer is no!

[EYECOLLECTVINTAGE]

Originally Posted by vintagesportscollector

I know little about fountain pens, but it doesn't look like it was written with a fountain pen. What are you trying to determine? If it is an authentic ball that could have been hit by Collins?

Eddie Collins with Chicago WS would put it 1915 to 1926. Are there any signs of this being a Reach OAL ball from that period? any markings left on the ball?

Yes Correct.

From what I see I believe it matches the http://keymancollectibles.com/balls/...uebaseball.htm

Based on font and font size of official.

Below the Official looks like the Top part of L in league. That font was not used past the 1925 Reach Ban Johnson
Official American League Baseball

The markings that I can see are as follows.

[drcy]

All I have to ask is, irrelevant to pen type, how would the writing be in such good condition on such a worn ball, unless it was written recently?

[EYECOLLECTVINTAGE]

Originally Posted by drcy

All I have to ask is, irrelevant to pen type, how would the writing be in such good condition on such a worn ball, unless it was written recently?

If it helps, the O is A it was just scraped at the tail. Also, Could it have been written after the ball was retired permanently?