Signed Baseball - Walter Johnson

newslang · January 2, 2008 3:46AM

Hello all:
I heard that this was a good forum with a lot of informed and knowledgeable collectors. Any insight on signed Walter Johnson balls

jmbkb4 · January 2, 2008 3:49AM

Hi,

I would imagine a single-signed Walter Johnson ball would be worth quite a bit -- perhaps a few thousand?

I would use PSA to authenticate the ball. Have you checked out their website?

This might be a good place to start.

newslang · January 2, 2008 3:50AM

I have 2 pictures, but i am having trouble attaching them. Do you see them?

OAKESY25 · January 2, 2008 3:53AM

insert a photobucket url thing.. to upload a pic..

newslang · January 2, 2008 4:05AM

fandango · January 2, 2008 4:07AM

ill buy it from you ....post a scan

EagleEyeKid · January 2, 2008 4:10AM

Sweet! Get it authenticated now!

bigfische · January 2, 2008 4:12AM

example of authenticated sig

scooter729 · January 2, 2008 4:21AM

Hello and welcome,

For something of that quality (which if properly authenticated will bring $10K+), you might be best off posting this on the Net 54 memorabilia area. There are many big players over there who might be able to tell you more about the ball than you will learn here.

ScottLink to Net 54 memorabilia

Do you have any story behind it of how it came into your family's hands?

Good luck; it will be awesome if properly documented!

baseballfanatic · January 2, 2008 4:21AM

Looks good to me.

If you consign it to Mastros they will take care of the authentication process for you and can bring you top dollar for the ball.
If you plan on keeping it, just keep it.

newslang · January 2, 2008 4:34AM

Thanks for all the info so far.

I got the ball over christmas and I was a little drunk when my dad gave me the background story, but he said in a nutshell....his grandfather was with his dad at the ballpark one afternoon and Walter was warming up and they practically bumped into him when he was finished throwing. I have heard the Walter didint sign to many balls, so appararently they got him on a good day.

jmbkb4 · January 2, 2008 4:38AM

<< Thanks for all the info so far.

I got the ball over christmas and I was a little drunk when my dad gave me the background story, but he said in a nutshell....his grandfather was with his dad at the ballpark one afternoon and Walter was warming up and they practically bumped into him when he was finished throwing. I have heard the Walter didint sign to many balls, so appararently they got him on a good day. >>

I hate to say it, but -- if you want to sell it -- Mastro Auctions is probably the way to go.

I would NOT sell directly to anyone here or on Net54 forums. An auction always yields a higher price.

originalisbest · January 2, 2008 4:54AM

Looks like a great ball -- get it authenticated in any case, and if you decide to go the auction route, good luck!

stown · January 2, 2008 4:59AM

<< I hate to say it, but -- if you want to sell it -- Mastro Auctions is probably the way to go.

I would NOT sell directly to anyone here or on Net54 forums. An auction always yields a higher price. >>

Agreed.

Also send an email to Joe Orlando (Joe@Collectors.com). Give a little background and attach the pictures; I'm absolutely confident that you will get a prompt reply.

Good luck and thanks for sharing

cravetopps · January 2, 2008 5:01AM

ebay auction

assuming yours is authentic, the signature is much more clear.

ICE9 · January 2, 2008 5:29AM

Not meaning to be cynical, but this post reminds me alot of this post.

bifff257 · January 2, 2008 5:50AM

<< I got the ball over christmas and I was a little drunk when my dad gave me the background story, but he said in a nutshell....his grandfather was with his dad at the ballpark one afternoon and Walter was warming up and they practically bumped into him when he was finished throwing. >>

If nothing else, this story will go well with an ebay auction along with some reprint T206's...

jmbkb4 · January 2, 2008 6:10AM

<< ebay auction

assuming yours is authentic, the signature is much more clear. >>

what an awfully faded signature. $2.5K is more than optimistic.

newslang · January 2, 2008 6:46AM

<< Not meaning to be cynical, but this post reminds me alot of this post. >>

i just read that entire thread. I have nothing to lie about. No scam here.

I just want some info on how to proceed and what this thing might be worth if i do try to sell or even if i just hang onto it as a nice collectors item. thanks again.

jmbkb4 · January 2, 2008 6:48AM

don't take offense. the sports memorabilia market has so much fraud it is insane. people are naturally skeptical. do keep us appraised of your plans and how the ball is authenticated.

newslang · January 2, 2008 6:53AM

<< don't take offense. the sports memorabilia market has so much fraud it is insane. people are naturally skeptical. do keep us appraised of your plans and how the ball is authenticated. >>

thanks! I think i will email the fella above, joe orlando. Then i will probably send it to PSA or Richard Simon, etc....one of the good ones.

I really worry about sending something like this in the mail. It's not as if I have any proof of what i sent....Is this the only wany to get something authenticated?

Thanks again.

jmbkb4 · January 2, 2008 6:54AM

<< 

<< don't take offense. the sports memorabilia market has so much fraud it is insane. people are naturally skeptical. do keep us appraised of your plans and how the ball is authenticated. >>

thanks! I think i will email the fella above, joe orlando. Then i will probably send it to PSA or Richard Simon, etc....one of the good ones.

I really worry about sending something like this in the mail. It's not as if I have any proof of what i sent....Is this the only wany to get something authenticated?

Thanks again. >>

pretty much. in short, they won't come to you and will require the item to be in-hand for authentication. You could drop it off at PSA. Using Registered mail USPS is about as good as it gets though. It will get to whomever you send it.

smtjoy · January 2, 2008 7:21AM

I would hope Joe responds but I would send it registered mail with like 10k insurance to PSA. Once it gets authenticated you will have your pick of the major auction houses. Above advice is great, do not sell to anyone period, you will take a bath if you do. Let a major auction house do their job and you will come out great, mastro, rea, etc.

TNTonPMS · January 2, 2008 8:01AM

The sig looks dead on to me , I'd buy it .

The baseball is a little toned , but the signature is really strong .

If that were on an official baseball I'd say 10 K would not impossible to get at auction , but because it is not , I'm gonna say it's worth about 5-6 grand and you would have no problem selling it , the signature is so strong compared to what is out there .

Try looking at some auction sites , and see what they've gone for .

That is amazing !

TNTonPMS · January 2, 2008 8:12AM

Oh , I almost forgot , you can wait until PSA has a show where their rep is doing authenticating in your area , I know JSA Sends reps out all the time .

I wouldn't send it either , as a matter of fact that is the way I had my baseball to the left authenticated , they were doing an appearance for authenticating in my area .

There aint an iceballs chance in hell I would ship my baseball anywhere , call them up , they'll tell you when they're gonna be close to you

Good luck , beautiful baseball

newslang · January 2, 2008 8:27AM

<< Oh , I almost forgot , you can wait until PSA has a show where their rep is doing authenticating in your area , I know JSA Sends reps out all the time .

I wouldn't send it either , as a matter of fact that is the way I had my baseball to the left authenticated , they were doing an appearance for authenticating in my area .

There aint an iceballs chance in hell I would ship my baseball anywhere , call them up , they'll tell you when they're gonna be close to you

Good luck , beautiful baseball >>

Thanks TnTons. Good advice. I will def wait for when they are even remotely close to me.

You have a beautiful ball yourself!

TNTonPMS · January 2, 2008 8:46AM

Yea, there are shows all the time , hopefully you're not in a place like Upper West Bubble Creek where they never heard of baseball or anyplace like that . . .

Butcha got to keep us posted please ,

Will you be thinking of selling once authenticated ?

newslang · January 2, 2008 8:54AM

mudflap02 · January 2, 2008 5:17PM

Awesome find! I think your best bet is to do like someone here suggested - go through one of the major auction houses, and have them do the authentication legwork. For something as huge as that could be for them, they will probably take care of it all for you. I'm not sure what the pricing is on authentication for something like that, but it wouldn't be cheap - I'm guessing at least $100. And if (for some reason), it comes back as "Not Authentic", you're not out a dime.

newslang · January 3, 2008 6:07AM

nam812 · January 3, 2008 6:12AM

<< I am still a little hazy as to what the fair value potential of this ball may be....... >>

And you think someone here can put a definitive number on that item for you? The "fair value potential" as you call it, is what ever the final bid is once you consign it to a reputable auction house.

wick70 · January 3, 2008 6:32AM

According to the SMR a couple of months ago...
on an official MLB single signed $18,000.00

because of the toning, non-official ball it would probably top out at $7,000 -10,000.

Wick

newslang · January 3, 2008 6:36AM

<< According to the SMR a couple of months ago...
on an official MLB single signed $18,000.00

because of the toning, non-official ball it would probably top out at $7,000 -10,000.

Wick >>

thanks wick. This seem about accurate. I think I may just hang on to it. I will have it authenticated by PSA ....Great advice by all. thanks.

Signed Baseball - Walter Johnson

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