Babe Ruths auto or Joe Jackson???

[packs]

It was my understanding that Joe Jackson was illiterate.

[GrayGhost]

Originally Posted by packs

It was my understanding that Joe Jackson was illiterate.

Yes, but he could "draw his name" his name has been found on some items, incl the Addie Joss game ball, and a number of legal documents. He had a lot of difficulty trying to draw his name, so Katie usually signed for him.

[RichardSimon]

The Joe looks more like Jay to me,,, the letter at the end of that looks like a y to me.

[yanks12025]

Thanks for the Help Richard, Is there anything I can use to help try reading the writing better. I tried a black light, but nothing really

[Shoeless Moe]

I see Al Jolson in the top one.

[yanks12025]

Al Jolson the singer? Couldn't find a baseball player

Kevin Keating couldnt offer any opinion cause not enough to go on.

[HexsHeroes]

.

. . . I'm having fun with this, but a couple more scans might be useful. If you are game, please post the additional scans as requested below. I in no way consider myself skilled at signature verification, but who doesn't like to play "detective" from time to time.

Regarding this ball:

On your second scanned image, I too see lettering for Sept ?? 1917
But I would love to see another image where the area above 1917 is centered, so that I could try and make out that word. I can't tell what letter(s) preceeding and following "a" are. It does appear to be a capital "M" present too; perhaps for "M"urnane ?

On your third image, I make out a possible "th" at the right end of the second row of text. Could those last four printed letters spell Ruth ?
The also appears to be the numbers "02" at the end of the third row of print. I would love to have a better scan of the first row of letters, inorder to try and make those words out.

On your fourth image, that appears to be a signature along the left side (next to the seam). My imagination sees the letters Geo M???

On the fifth image, I initially thought the signature at the top might be ?al?? (Walter) Johnson, but I do not see enough spacing between the letters "al" and "J" to make this possible. But I do think it possible the last name could be Johnson.

Regarding your first image, I don't think that is Ruth's signature. I am only basing my opinion on the representation of the R in Ruth from this prior auction lot of a signed ball from Murnane's Benefit Game: http://www.legendaryauctions.com/Lot...px?lotid=44837

Just my two cents. Hope makes us see things that may not be there. But every once in a great while, hope and actuality do meet.

[Shoeless Moe]

ends tomorrow night

up to $733 + buyers premium.

http://premierauctionsonline.com/Lot...igned-Baseball

[HRBAKER]

Originally Posted by Shoeless Moe

ends tomorrow night

up to $733 + buyers premium.

http://premierauctionsonline.com/Lot...igned-Baseball

The winner most likely will put it with their piece of toast with the Virgin Mary on it.

[aaroncc]

Originally Posted by RichardSimon

The Joe looks more like Jay to me,,, the letter at the end of that looks like a y to me.

I see a y also looks like it says July.

[yanks12025]

Originally Posted by aaroncc

I see a y also looks like it says July.

I'm pretty sure there was no player named July.. And it's not a date because you can make out the last name also starts with a J.

[scooter729]

Although it would be a stretch to say it's Joe Jackson, I will say I do see what Brock is talking about there.

Here's a copy of the Joe Jackson check sold earlier this year, compared to this ball. I can see how the "e" in "Joe" looks similar, although it also could say July for all I know (which ain't much). There are some similarities there, but I don't quite think that's Shoeless Joe on there...

[perezfan]

I kinda see it on the Jackson part, anyway. The bottom bar of the "E" in "Joe" drops down pretty low in the check exemplar. I can see where a portion of the "e" is making it look like a "y".

It's still not likely Shoeless Joe, but nice to dream... when I squint just right, I can acually see it