Mickey Mantle ball

[GrayGhost]

No good IMO. M's formation is bad

[Donscards]

I am always amazed how the members on this board can authenticate the autographed pieces---Here is my Mantle ball that I got years ago in person---I think it looks close to the other ball on here--but I am no expert--so I guess I will ask for opinions----thanks, Don

[urtzie]

I actually reviewed many authentic Mantle pieces and noticed the M's here looked more pointed than his normally were... his seemed more round. Like the old saying goes if it's too good to be true it probably is.

[urtzie]

that ball from Don does look alot like mine.. wow. somebody is good at signing that name that's for sure. I am taking it to authenticator in a few months along with some other pieces.

[Mr. Zipper]

Originally Posted by urtzie

that ball from Don does look alot like mine.. wow. somebody is good at signing that name that's for sure. I am taking it to authenticator in a few months along with some other pieces.

I wouldn't waste your cash taking the suspect ball to an authenticator. It is a known forgery style.

There are some general similarities between your ball and the one that Don posted because that's what forgers do -- try to make it look like the real deal.

Here are some key flaws in your ball: the right side of the second M flares to the right at an unnatural angle, pointy top Ms, the "tle" "falls off" the signature, and if you look closely the loops under the Ms are slowly drawn with a hint of hesitation. The loops under the Ms in Don's exemplar are as smooth as glass.

[RichardSimon]

Save your money urtzie,,, the ball is fugly.
And yes, you are correct,to the untrained eye the ball from Don does look like yours in some respects.
Forgers practice their "craft", that is why so many get fooled.
It is not like you yourself picked up a pen and it would be easy to see an amateur try to forge Mantle's autograph. It does not work that way. These guys have some skill ranging from minimal to quite a bit of skill.

[thetruthisoutthere]

Don's ball is 100% authentic. Urtzie's Mantle ball isn't close to Don's.

That particular Mantle forgery with the "536 HR" inscription still makes the rounds (and gets removed) on Ebay and other websites.

[urtzie]

Thanks for the help.... I really appreciate it!

[urtzie]

thanks for all the help. If an item comes with JSA/PSA is that a decent guarantee that the ball is real?

[Fuddjcal]

Originally Posted by thetruthisoutthere

Don's ball is 100% authentic. Urtzie's Mantle ball isn't close to Don's.

That particular Mantle forgery with the "536 HR" inscription still makes the rounds (and gets removed) on Ebay and other websites.

I would agree... for someone who has spent 1000's of hours looking at Mantle's...it's easy to see. He's the only guy I can do that with. I'm a one trick pony.

What you have there is called a "Shakey Shantle". I hope this helps.

[BrandonG]

Here is my Mantle. I've had it for about 8 years and purchased it before I knew ANYTHING about autographs. Now I'm nervous, Richard, would like your opinion. (ps: ball did get a psa/dna authentication a few years ago).