Tips on looking at faded autographs

Old_Collector

I have a lot of multi autograph balls and can easily read most of the autographs but occasionally come across one that is pretty light. Any secret methods to use lighting or whatever to get a better look at the signature? Thanks.

1982FootballWax

the ol' rose colored glasses ?

Old_Collector

@82FootballWaxMemorys said:
the ol' rose colored glasses ?

Tried those and keep getting Babe Ruth. 🤣

Cakes

I have a similar problem: I have a Mantle, Montana, etc. that are faded badly. How much does this affect the value?

Old_Collector

I just ignore the autograph if I cannot definitively identify it, so it would be a big deal with Mantle.
I think that a lot of it was the player signing with little pressure. I have team balls from 1950-60 that are completely legible even though the ball has turned a bit yellow brown -- luckily the autographs stand out even more now.
Fortunately, Mantle knew how to sign baseballs as well as hit them, and often hogged the sweet spot along with a few Hank Aaron pairs on a number of my 10-30 auto balls.
Best so far is 8/8 and 15/27 HoF and all the HoF are very legible on very old balls.
Seems like a lot of the greats were good at autos, no problems with DiMaggio, Mantle, Aaron, Mays, Williams, or a lot of the other and earlier greats.

Ironmanfan

I don't think it has to do with pressure, keep in mind not every player, coach, etc. who signed these balls used the same pen.

IMF