Babe Ruth Auto Baseball Raw - Opinions Requested

Meatloaf

Babe Ruth Auto Ball

Any Babe Ruth auto collectors/experts out there? Is this worth tossing money at or simply should I stay away? It is raw with no authentication. I don't get into high end autos, but this one looked interesting. I know little about Ruth's sig. I sent in for a PSA/DNA OQ, but it came back as "unable to render an opinion." Meatloaf

thenavarro

Put a scan up on Net54 in the autograph section and you'll get opinions. Don't put anything about PSA/DNA quick opinion or you'll just prejudice your results over there

Meatloaf

<< <i>Put a scan up on Net54 in the autograph section and you'll get opinions. Don't put anything about PSA/DNA quick opinion or you'll just prejudice your results over there >>



TYVM for this advice. I will do now and pass along their results from this forum. Meatloaf

DetroitSquirreL

something odd about the ball. first it looks really clean!! Id like to hear the background of where its been stored. The up close pic, the pours in the ball look a bit odd as well. Something screams fake to me....I collect autographs, none Ruth, but this just sets off a lot of warning messages to me. It would be a nice pay off if i'm wrong as usually balls he signed were balls kids played with before getting signed and game used balls were actually USED not like today where they throw out every ball after a pitch. And if not kept properly (which I doubt if its from back then, the leather would show some sort of aging. But I'guess we'll see

Meatloaf

<< <i>something odd about the ball. first it looks really clean!! Id like to hear the background of where its been stored. The up close pic, the pours in the ball look a bit odd as well. Something screams fake to me....I collect autographs, none Ruth, but this just sets off a lot of warning messages to me. It would be a nice pay off if i'm wrong as usually balls he signed were balls kids played with before getting signed and game used balls were actually USED not like today where they throw out every ball after a pitch. And if not kept properly (which I doubt if its from back then, the leather would show some sort of aging. But I'guess we'll see >>



The ball comes from a safe deposit box auction. Unknown how long it was sitting in a box. The auction house does not know much about it.

cubfan89

How much do they want for it? That will give a clue

Meatloaf

<< <i>How much do they want for it? That will give a clue >>



Starting bid is $1750.

stown

I'm no autograph expert but... It seems very odd that the AL logos have significantly faded yet Babe's signature is still pristine.

Meatloaf

<< <i>I'm no autograph expert but... It seems very odd that the AL logos have significantly faded yet Babe's signature is still pristine. >>



Well pointed out. Thank you.

vols1

Ball looks like a 1945-1959 Reach Official American League Baseball

LarkinCollector

I'm suspicious on any Ruth ball signed in the sweet spot. Most, possibly all?, pics I've seen of him signing show him signing on the side. Somebody posted a good article a couple months ago (written by a shady character) that went into all the fakes and things to look for on authentic Ruth's. I'll try to dig it up.

jessherron

American League baseballs used Red and Blue stitching p until 1935. Babe lived until 1948, but I have always been skeptical of the ones later in life - not sure why.

That Red and Blue stitching to me is impactful when looking for a legit Babe signature.

dennis07

It's not worth the gamble IMO. Why wouldn't an auction house that "doesn't know much about the ball" want to get it authenticated before selling?
I realize someone probably brought them the ball and said I want to sell it. At that point wouldn't they try to convince the owner to get it looked at
by PSA? If the owner says no I want it sold raw shouldn't that in itself be a red flag? I'll admit I am naïve about such things but it just seems with so many
fakes in the market a certain protocol should be followed. I think putting a few grand on black on the roulette wheel would be a better gamble than a raw Ruth sig.

cubfan89

If it is a fake, that's the best Ruth forgery I've ever seen hands down!

BobH

<< <i>If it is a fake, that's the best Ruth forgery I've ever seen hands down! >>



The "abe" in Babe looks suspicious.The "Ruth" look perfect. I'm by no means an expert but I would pass on this

Meatloaf

<< <i>Put a scan up on Net54 in the autograph section and you'll get opinions. Don't put anything about PSA/DNA quick opinion or you'll just prejudice your results over there >>



Consensuses on Net54 (forum and PMs) appears to be 50/50. Some think it looks fine, others have concerns about the strong auto and faded logos on the ball.

Question for all:

Assuming it is a legit auto, what would be the fair market value (at this time)? What would be the max you would pay? Once again, assume a legit auto and that I would eventually send off for authentication and possibly grading. $3k? $5k? $10k? >$10k? I just don't know based on the pics, condition, market, etc. Meatloaf

MiniDuff

Looks an awful lot like the ball REA auctioned this year. Same ball, similar fading, bold auto. Sold for 21k:

REA 1946 Ruth Ball

WinPitcher

If they are the same I think I'd pass.

Meatloaf

<< <i>Looks an awful lot like the ball REA auctioned this year. Same ball, similar fading, bold auto. Sold for 21k:

REA 1946 Ruth Ball >>



TY for the education!

Meatloaf

There does appear to be some gibberish on the side of the ball. See new pic. I assume this reduces some of the end value.?

Piggs

I agree it needs to be authenticated and anyone in their right mind would do so for maximum price results. Wouldn't touch until then. Doug

Meatloaf

Ball sold for $8k today. Was not me who won. Was too rich for a novice like me.