Houston Colt .45 Autograph?

[Case12]

I think you may be right about someone writing Russ Kemmer except Russ' autograph is already on another side of the ball. Guess that is the mystery.

Yes, I have gone through the roster. Actually have most all of the players autographs on other things. None look like this.

Ken Johnson is not elsewhere on the ball, but his signature is so different, and not this long.

As for a misprint. What would do that? (BTW, how were these fax balls printed in early 60's?). Did someone put the wrong rubber stamp? Ha, ha.

This really has me stumped...

[MooseDog]

I doubt that all of those souvenir balls were actually rubber stamped. More likely the autographs were affixed on the two individual panels by some sort of printing process. then stitched together. You notice on some of these the autograph overlaps the seam but there is no ink on the seam. Whatever the process was could have created the issue.

I kinda agree with BillyCox that it might be Ken Johnson, mangled.

Suppose if you could find another 1962 souvenir ball you'd have your answer.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

100% Ken Johnson. Believe it or don't believe it, that's who it is.

[bobw]

From an auction from 2018, a clearer image of a different ball

[Case12]

I believe it. I had to dig a lot to find another like it. Ken W. Johnson. Must be early signature from his Phillies days in the 50's. Thank you very much! Amazing mystery solved!

[Steve D]

Originally Posted by Case12

I believe it. I had to dig a lot to find another like it. Ken W. Johnson. Must be early signature from his Phillies days in the 50's. Thank you very much! Amazing mystery solved!

Question:

You say Ken W. Johnson; but, The Colt 45's player was Ken T. Johnson.

There were two Ken Johnsons.

Ken Travis Johnson played from 1958-1970 for the A's, Reds, Colt 45's, Braves, Yankees, Cubs & Expos.

Ken Wandersee Johnson played from 1947-1952 for the Cardinals, Phillies & Tigers.


Steve

[Steve D]

OK, I believe the signature is in fact, Kenneth Wandersee Johnson, as evidenced by these two documents I have found:





So, whoever made the baseballs, put the wrong Ken Johnson's facsimile signature on the ball. That explains why it is so different from the signatures from Ken (T) Johnson of the Colt 45's.

Steve