Question for autograph baseball collectors ...

fsjeter

Wanted to know what the board thought of the services provided by Signed Baseball Magic of Santa Rosa, CA. If your not familiar, they've been causing a stir because they take multi-signed baseballs and remove the unwanted sigs. There's an article on them in the November 4, 2005 issue of SCD that has before and after photo's. I personaly don't like the idea. I think it opens up a whole new can of worms for the unscrupulous. Generally, single signed star baseballs sell for much more than multi-signed items. Your thoughts???

Scott

RedHeart54

I would think it would be impossible to completely remove a sig so much that a ball appears to be single-signed, but then again, the doctors have their ways and means. Personally I think it's akin to card doctoring, especially if the seller does not intend on making it clear that the item had plastic surgery.

fsjeter

Actually, here is a link to the before & after photo's. It's pretty hard to tell. That's where the problem comes in. People will start thinking they're buying single signed balls when they're acutally doctored team/multi-signed baseballs.

Scott

Stone193

I read the article.

As long as they disclose what they have done, I don't have a problem with it.

If they could only do that with my Mother-in-law!

Ahmanfan

first off, why would anyone want less signatures on a ball? It still blows my mind that the '57 Mantle/Berra is worth less than the single Mantle. How can someone else hurt the value of an item?


John

fsjeter

<<How can someone else hurt the value of an item?

Because some guys are near impossible to find on SS baseballs. Take Mel Ott for instance, he is tough in any form but there are more team/multi signed baseballs with his sig than ss baseballs. Someone buys a team signed ball with Ott on it and has the other sigs removed. POOF! Much more valuable Single signed Ott goes up for auction.

<<As long as they disclose what they have done, I don't have a problem with it.

I agree. The problem with the unscrupulous is they don't tell you. I don't have a problem with reprints as long as they are labeled and sold as such but there is still a problem with all the fake Jordan's, Mantles, and Wagners being sold to the unsuspecting collectors.

If the hobby's survival depends partly on new collectors, getting burned by this could pose a big problem. JMO!!

Scott

Stone193

I agree Scott

I thought I posted some points - there must have been a computer problem.

The SS balls of some players is impossible to find - especially on the sweet spot.

Also, there are high end collectors who would be happy to have a rare ball even if a few have been scrubbed.

John
On the multi signed balls - in general - if there is NO theme to a multisigned ball, the collection of autos is worth less than the sum of single signed balls of the same players. That's just part of the auto ball deal I guess. E.g. of a theme: 500 club, 3000 hit etc.

mike