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Mantle/Ford Collectors - Bat Grading and Value?

CoinyCoiny Posts: 711 ✭✭
in Trading Cards & Memorabilia Forum
Hi Mantle/ Ford Collectors,
I have been saving this Mantle/ Ford signed bat for many years. In fact, I know it is real as The Mick and Whitey
signed it at the Westchester Golf Classic in Rye, NY in the late 70's and I was there!

The bat was purchased just for the signing, so it was never used.
I am planning to pass it down to my Grandson and my son had his eye on it since he was a toddler!

Here's my questions to those more knowledgable than I;
1) Should I grade it? Why or Why not?
1) If so, I am hesitant to mail the bat in for grading because it may get damaged. Are there any onsite bat gradings at memorabilia shows where I would not risk the mail loss or damage?
2) Anyone take a guess at the value?

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Coiny

Comments

  • Sean1125Sean1125 Posts: 3,479
    You are probably going to look into getting it authenticated rather than graded, grading is mostly for cards and smaller items that can be encapsulated.


    As to value I can not attest, good luck whatever you do.
  • YogiBerraFanYogiBerraFan Posts: 2,390 ✭✭
    I would not have the autos graded because they are not full or bold. They would probably only grade a 7 or 8. If you are going to pass it to someone I would have it authenticated even though you know they are real. If they ever had to sell it for some reason (emergency) they could get a good price for it quickly.
  • YogiBerraFanYogiBerraFan Posts: 2,390 ✭✭
    If you put it in a bat tube you should have no issues with damage during shipping.
  • thenavarrothenavarro Posts: 7,497 ✭✭✭


    << <i>1) Should I grade it? Why or Why not?
    1) If so, I am hesitant to mail the bat in for grading because it may get damaged. Are there any onsite bat gradings at memorabilia shows where I would not risk the mail loss or damage?
    2) Anyone take a guess at the value?
    >>



    1) I wouldn't grade it, due to the reasons the poster above mentioned.
    2)You can get it authenticated at shows, but if none are in your area, you can feel relatively secure shipping it via USPS registered mail with insurance. Just pack it correctly and you should have no problems.
    3) As to value, that's tricky. Mickey Mantle single signed bats have been selling the last year and a half at Heritage Auctions for about $2,000-$2,400, but you need to keep the following in mind. Those bats were on Mantle model bats and not on generic bats, and were authenticated by JSA or PSA/DNA or UDA. Also, they were single signed. Your bat is on a non-Mantle generic bat, and is signed also by Whitey Ford (that will devalue the bat at a pretty good clip). Don't take my word as fact, because I'm only guessing, but I'm guessing that if you had it authenticated, you might get $1,000 to $1,200 for it with both Ford and Mantle on it.

    If you are concerned about maximizing the monetary value and not the sentimental value for yourself or your son, I'd look into seeing if you could remove the Whitey Ford signature, but if the ink has set into the wood grain, you won't be able to do that. If it hasn't set into the grain, you might be able to get it off with hairspray.

    Good luck and cool bat,

    Mike
    Buying US Presidential autographs
  • CoinyCoiny Posts: 711 ✭✭
    Thanks for the responses.

    I live in the Tampa Florida area so I will keep my eye out for shows where I can get the bat authenticated.
    Sort of surprised that the Ford signature will devalue the bat given his fame and teammate status of Mantle.
    My guess is once Ford dies, his auto value will go up too. Would not think about selling it...but thought it would be valued higher.


    Coiny
  • IronmanfanIronmanfan Posts: 5,477 ✭✭✭✭
    if you could somehow remove the Ford signature, it would be worth more
    Successful dealings with Wcsportscards94558, EagleEyeKid, SamsGirl214, Volver, DwayneDrain, Oaksey25, Griffins, Cardfan07, Etc.
  • CrazyMind2017CrazyMind2017 Posts: 1,205 ✭
    Do not remove the Ford signature. All you have to do is find the right buyer who will pay more because it has both players. I'm not saying it's crazy for people to post that the bat would have a higher value without the Ford signature; there's a rationale for that statement. But I guarantee there's a buyer out there who will be willing to pay more for the bat with the Ford signature than without it. Just find him. IMO, the collectors who are willing to pay more money for a single signed bat rather than one with Mantle and Ford are stupid. They're like the little kid who would rather have two $1 bills than a $5 bill because 2 is more than 1.
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