Babe Ruth auto ball on ebay

Stone193

I saw this ball on ebay and I didn't love the flow of the signature and there was no mention of who is on the ball - I emailed the seller and he replied that it has Joe Cronin on the ball (American Lg. prez 59-73) - anyone have a problem with this ball? Here is the link to the auction. The Babe died in 1948.
Email reply:


<< <i>"L T" <towelie42023@hotmail.com>
To: mesablanca1110@yahoo.com
Subject: RE: Question for item #5122651215 - MINT! Babe Ruth Autographed AUTHENTIC Baseball AUTO
Date: Sun, 12 Sep 2004 01:33:48 +0000
Joe Cronin >>




Thanx
Mike

jrdolan

I'm a little confused. It is a ball issued at least 11 years after Babe's death yet bears his "guaranteed authentic" signature?

I also wonder at the fact that he guarantees PSA/DNA will decide it's genuine, yet he has not bothered to send it to them himself. Seems totally illogical, since getting a PSA/DNA seal of approval before putting it up for sale would at least triple the final sale price. The notion that he doesn't wish to pay the expense himself doesn't fly on an item like this. And when you add that he says it bears the name of a league president who was in office long after Babe's death ....

Look through his recent sales, he seems to deal in cheap modern hoop cards.

I am amazed that bidding has topped $1,000 with these factors. The only thing that I can find in favor of this auction is that it does look like Babe's signature at first glance.

damnyankees

If he was smart,he would of had it authenticated.Something smells fishy!!

boggs301012

At least it isnt signed in SHARPIE!


James

Stone193

<< <i>At least it isnt signed in SHARPIE >>





He also has one of the "bid accordingly" 52T Mantles with the no refund policy.



How fishy does it smell now?

Mike
edit: look at the sig: it has an uneven stroke that may be caused by tracing the auto as opposed to free flowing pen strokes - just an opinion - I'm about as much an expert on autos as I am on nuclear fusion!

Also, I emailed the seller with the facts. If he doesn't pull the auction, have we established whether it is unfair or unethical to email the top bidder - since it is not a private auction - isn't it fair to just provide the buyer with the facts without characterizing the seller?

jrdolan

<< <i>[If he doesn't pull the auction, have we established whether it is unfair or unethical to email the top bidder - since it is not a private auction - isn't it fair to just provide the buyer with the facts without characterizing the seller? >>


It is perfectly fair and ethical to give the facts to the top bidder, much more fair than to let him get hosed and try to get his money back after the fact.

Gemmy10

Joe Cronin was also a player and manager. Are you sure that the Seller didn't mean that Joe Cronin also signed the baseball when he was a manager? If not maybe it is worth more if Babe Ruth came back from the dead to sign it anytime within the 1959-1973 time period. LOL

Stone193

<< <i>Are you sure that the Seller didn't mean that Joe Cronin also signed the baseball when he was a manager? >>


Gemmy
I asked the question in the context of the fact that he stated that it was a Reach OAL ball. Besides, if it were a dual auto, I believe it would've been in the description. But, I'm not saying that isn't a possibility. Also, I have not received an email back when I asked about the inclusive dates of the ball and death of the Babe. If I don't hear from him soon, I feel compelled to email the top bidder.
Mike

Gemmy10

<<But, I'm not saying that isn't a possibility. Also, I have not received an email back when I asked about the inclusive dates of the ball and death of the Babe. If I don't hear from him soon, I feel compelled to email the top bidder. >>

I was thinking of E-mailing him myself but I thought it might be possible that he meant Cronin actually signed it, and I didn't know what you actually said in your E-mail to him. Also I would hate to interfere with an auction if he simply misunderstood your question and was away today.

jrdolan

If Joe Cronin had signed it, he would have advertised that fact and shown that signature as well.

Plus I can't get away from the fact that no one in their right mind would sell a legitimate Ruth-signed ball without some kind of provenance. He claims nothing other than it was in a case for years. For an investment of $85 or whatever PSA/DNA charges for authentication, the seller could increase his sale by several thousand dollars. He knows this. The fact that he has chosen not to (or was unsuccessful) and offers no other evidence is just too fishy. A "guarantee" is worthless on eBay unless it's from an established dealer who's not going to vanish once the money is received.

Oh, and toss in the factors that his sales history is low-rent modern basketball, and that the high bidder here has zero feedback.

Gemmy10

jrdolan,

GREAT points. You convinced me!

Stone193

JR
I agree plus I posted a scan of an obvious reprint that he is selling under that old game of 'it may be real or may not be real' bid accordingly and oh....by the way....no refunds!
And, I have still not heard from the guy.
You are very much correct on the value of the ball also - other than a slight smudge 'b' in Babe, this ball, if legit, would go into the many thousands of dollars for the cost of psa/dna authentication.
Gemmy
I do appreciate your point of view and consideration not to rush to judgement - that's why, if you notice, I have not characterized this seller other than to bring out what I have uncovered - this ball if a bad buy IMO and I hate to see someone taken.
thanx
Mike

Stone193

Item pulled.

Mike

fsjeter

I'm not so sure about this one. Especially when compared to these examples. Take note of the "R". Babe rarely closed his and this one isn't even close. It looks like a ghost sig to me. Of course, this is my humble opinion and I am nowhere near an expert.

Scott

Gemmy10

Stone193,

Great job! It's good to look out for other collectors.

jrdolan

As George Peppard used to say on "The A-Team," I love it when a plan comes together. You know, the vigilant fellas on these boards should get a commission from eBay for some of the scams that are nipped in the bud. Too bad it's only a drop in the bucket ...

jmpkcp

dallasmavericks4104's account has been stolen for a long period of time. I already e-mailed ebay months ago about it, but they have failed to do a thing. If you ask for front and back scans of the Mantle he is selling, he'll send you the front and back of a reprint that looks nothing like the scan that is provided on the auction listing. Guys like this belong in jail. I've been e-mailing the top seller of his auctions for the last 3 months, and so far he is unsuccessful in selling anything other than his modern crap. It is obvious that this is just some loser who stole an account and now buys and sells 2003-2004 cards for $10 to keep up the charade of a legitimate seller. Everyone help get this guy off of Ebay!

jmpkcp