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

[judgebuck]

I've had this ball since I was a kid. I think I got it at Sportsman Park around 1961. It has autographs from the 1959 St. Louis Cardinals team. Question: 1) Are these real, facsimile, or clubhouse signatures? 2) Does this ball have any value? Thanks for your comments and input. David

[Lordstan]

It's a preprinted souvenir ball that was sold at ballparks.
Not sure of the value.

[mr2686]

+1

[roarfrom34]

A Cardinals 1956 stamped ball recently sold on eBay for $21

[judgebuck]

Thanks for your comments and insight. Although it is a neat collectible (IMO) from 60 or so years ago, it apparently has very little value. Maybe $50 at the most?? Don't know how they stamped the signatures on a round ball, though.

[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?