1959 Cardinals autographed ball - facsimile or clubhouse sigs? Value?

[steve B]

Printed on while it was flat, then made into a ball.

Has anyone ever done a list of souvenir balls? It might make an interesting and affordable collection.

[Chris-Counts]

I hear many asking the question if a particular ball is signed or just a facsimile. For what it's worth, I can't recall seeing a real signed ball where the signatures DIDN'T run into each other, or a facsimile ball where they DID touch each other.

[judgebuck]

Thanks to everyone for your comments and opinions. I was fairly certain it was a facsimile ball, but I wanted to be sure. I learned at least two things:

1. Facsimile balls are printed while the cover is flat. I never thought about it, but it makes sense.

2. You will likely never see a facsimile ball where the signatures run together or a legitimate ball where they don't.

[roarfrom34]

Originally Posted by steve B

Printed on while it was flat, then made into a ball.

Has anyone ever done a list of souvenir balls? It might make an interesting and affordable collection.

The company that made these souvenir baseballs (Autographed Ball Co...founded by a former MLB player) was in business for nearly 70 years so I'm sure that list would be extensive.

Here is an intresting 1989 contract from Bill Ripken with that company:

[Republicaninmass]

Whole .01 a ball eh?