Advice on purchasing multi-signed baseballs

[FUBAR]

Huggins and Scott usually sell a nice array of signed balls every auction as well, all certified by PSA or JSA. They sell both single signed and multiple signature balls!

[glchen]

Thanks and appreciate the very helpful advice. I do have an existing account with Heritage so I can view the archives there. Thanks!

[glchen]

Actually, I have one more quick question, which I probably already know the answer to. Are "enhanced" or traced signatures to be avoided? (I assume yes) For example, the latest Hunt auction has a Ruth ball with the description:

"All of the signatures appear to have been enhanced/traced in the period."

http://www.huntauctions.com/phone/im...m=78&lot_num=2

[glchen]

Sorry, more questions. Does it make any difference what ball is used? For example, the above auction uses a Spalding Official National League ball, and I've seen other different kinds of balls. Are there preferred ones that are better quality? Finally, I've noticed some balls are coated in shellac (sp?). I wouldn't purchase this kind of ball, but out of curiosity, why would people want to coat the ball like that back then? Thanks again.

[perezfan]

Avoid traced or enhanced signatures. It is a huge compromise in quality, and eventually you will want something better/more authentic. Just my .02

Regarding shellacked balls... they did it back in the day, to preserve the signatures. I don't buy shellacked balls, and I hate them. Other collectors are not bothered by them.. it is an individual preferance. I have just seen too many examples where the shellac or varnish starts to peel (and often takes the autograph right off with it).

These balls always scare me, and the practice of shellacking no longer exists as far as I know. Back then, they thought they were doing something to better preserve the autograph. Depending on the shellack, some eventually turned dark brown, some just slightly yellowed, and some remained pretty clean.

I guess it either depended on the quality of the shellac and/or the way the ball was preserved throughout the years. Bottom line is that shellacked balls sell for about 25% less than their clean counterparts... far less, if the shellac is peeling and taking away the original surface of the ball.

Guess that's enough... perhaps others will chime in as well.

Hope this is helpful,
Mark

[glchen]

Thanks, Mark. Appreciate your comments.