Advice needed on authenticating/selling autographed baseballs from my Grandfather/Uncle
newyork2020
Posts: 3 ✭
I have autographed baseballs passed-on to me that I'd like to sell. One is from my Uncle, the other few are from my Grandfather. Both are now deceased. The first 5 photos in the link I'll add are of the one ball from my Uncle. This ball I am unsure if the autographs are real. The remaining balls from my Grandfather. I know are real as he worked security for various stadiums/arenas in NYC in the 50's-70's. I understand of course, everything still has to be authenticated. I have no idea how much these balls are worth, assuming they are authentic. My concern is sending them away to be authenticated, which might be expensive, and then not making much if anything when I sell them. I appreciate any feedback on what I should do. Thanks.
Here in the link to the photos - https://imgur.com/a/ocZvJ8L
Comments
Welcome to the boards!
The Gillette shrink wrapped ball does not have actual autographs. I have one, they are nice collectibles, but not worth too much.
Your pictures look a little out of sequence?
The other balls look authentic to me. Some great HOFers on there! It appears you have a Dodgers ball there with Koufax and Drysdale on it. That could be worth good money!
It's best to have the entire team sign on an official American League or National League ball. The ball with what looks like a Ted Williams auto on it looks unusual, a "Mickey Mantle" Ball?!?!?
Determine the teams and years of the balls as best you can. Then check ebay for sold items and determine if they have any value.
Hopefully someone else with more knowledge will chime in. These seem like great collectables!
Good luck!!!
Looks like mid 60s Giants, Dodgers, Mets balls. One Giants ball had a Japanese signature it appears. Maybe that is Masanori Murakami in his native signature? The other names look like it would put the ball right around 64-66 range, as do the other team balls, give or take. I'll go back and look a little closer, but some nice names across all the balls.
One of the Giants balls looks early 60s, maybe 62. The Mets is mid 60s, Westrum was manager 65-67. Dark was Giants skipper 61-64. The Williams ball is too hard to read. maybe
The Dodger ball is 62-64 based on Walls, could narrow it down further probably. I can't quite make out the name above Gilliam though, the rest I can. It could be an elusive Phil Ortega though. Parker's first year with the Dodgers was 64, so that is likely the year of that ball.
Larry Millers only year with the Dodgers is 64. That pretty much seals it. 64 Dodgers.
Linz was on mets 67-68, Haddix was a coach those same years and Seaver is on the ball. Rookie year! Mets ball appears to be 67.
Can't tell for sure, but looks like 2 Giants balls. i am fairly sure the one with Japanese sig is 64.
64 Dodgers balls sold on ebay for $265 and $500.00.
67 Mets ball harder to figure, but could be in that range as well. A rookie Seaver auto is a good thing.
Giants ball(s) would likely need a Willie Mays, I didn't see him.
Faded autos hurt you a bit, but being on official AL/NL balls will help.
Thanks for the help guys. So do you think its worth it to send them in the authenticated? After paying for that will I really make a decent amount when I sell them minus authentication fees?
Since I am not into this part of the hobby, I can't really comment off-hand.
You really haven't shared your thoughts on how you feel about the balls and/or how much you "need" to get for them to be happy. Do you want to spend a little time (and money) to try to get the best price, or do you just want to get rid of them?
How much does it cost to authenticate a Team ball? You are also going to pay fees when you sell them (10% or so), and the time and trouble of getting this all done.
I am thinking that you are not going to get any good offers without authentication.
I might just keep them in my personal collection as they were from your family members. If you don't have any sentimental attachment, and want to get rid of them , you might try listing them on ebay, as is (with a decent opening bid) and see if someone grabs them up. You might also want to list them on the Buy/Sell/Trade here.
OK, thanks. I have no attachment and just want to sell them. I'd love to sell them to someone here if anyone was interested. I would go through all the trouble and $ of authentication, but not sure if it would be worth it.
I saw what looked like a possible Mays on one ball...I think that might be Mays under Haller
I am not sure if there is a "best" collector site for signed balls and selling of such items. Ebay is an easy answer, just list as many signatures as possible and provide a good detailed description. Take some quality, focused, large, clear photos (not everything in your link is satisfactory quality images if you want the best return) of each panel. You may be hurt a little if you have no established seller ID or you could try to go the route of having one of the bigger consignment sellers offer it up.
I would probably take them over to net54 if you are looking for a possible low/no cost option to sell, since they tend to be more vintage based and the autograph forum is lively there.
Added thought, those people who buy this type of thing generally tend to know their stuff and don't need authentication. I would not bother with an expensive authentication if you can find the right crown to advertise these to. That type of thing seems to be for those who really don't know their stuff or want to feel good about their purchases (such as people buying gifts for others). That type of person may pay more for something than the first group, but you never know. These balls don't strike me as something that would be purchased by someone other than a knowledgable autograph collector or reseller.
I am no expert, but the balls seems pretty real to me. This is ignoring the back history too, although some people like that kind of stuff. Provenance really needs to be more than a comment from a relative though. If I were in the market for any of them, I would feel good about paying for one.
If you decide on a price for the Dodger ball, let me know. I'm probably not a buyer at those levels noted earlier as I have all of the subject signatures separately and am not a huge team ball fan, but I don't need any certificates or anything like that either.