2013 Autographed Baseball Lineup
ManOfLeisure
Posts: 26
Hi All,
I usually get my autos in person or if that's not possible, shop on eBay or other auction site for them. I've grow curious about the retail autographed ball concept, so recently ordered three different autographed balls from three different vendors - was curious about the quality of the products, packaging, etc. Thought I would share info with you in case anyone else has similar interests.
I ordered from Dave & Adam's Cardworld the following:
The Onyx presents really well - especially for the mid-tier price point. The Tri-Star has the biggest price tag and the cheapest presentation. But hey, I didn't buy the packaging - let's see what's inside.
Here's the Tri-Star.
Definitely no-frills packaging - just a baseball inside a plastic bag inside a pouch. The pouch seems pretty impossible to tamper with, at least to the degree needed to get a ball out/in - there didn't seem to be any way to do this without making it evident. In addition to the ball, there was a bent-up piece of paper with the Tri-Star logo on one side and the players name on the other indicating it was an authentic auto per Tri-Star and a matching sticker on the ball to go with. The signature is ok, ink is a little thin in a couple of spots. Similar Peavy balls can be found on eBay for $50-$100, so all in all I'm not feeling like this was a waste of money. But I'm not a huge Peavy fan either.
Here's the Historic Autographs.
The worst packaging of the lot - just a cheap cardboard box wrapped in branded shrink wrap - the plasticy kind that is easy to cut and reseal. The ball inside is wrapped in paper and placed in a velvet bag, which is a nice touch, but I'd personally prefer they invest more in a security feature. If I were a pessimist, I would assume this had been opened, checked, and re-shrink-wrapped before it came to me. The signature is not from a young Juan Marichal, but the ink is good and the ball pristine. The ball is accompanied by a PSA/DNA certificate of authority and the ball inked to match - I feel good it's a legit Marichal. That said, Marichal balls are pretty cheap - $25-$50 on eBay, so feeling a little taken here, but not terrible as Marichal is pretty cool in my book.
Here's the Onyx Preferred.
The wooden box presents really well and is fixed with two pieces of security tape. Inside the ball is inside a plastic bag and a hard plastic ball cube. Definitely the best packaging of the bunch. I've no idea if there is a way to defeat the tape or not, but it wasn't obvious to me. The ball has a certificate of authenticity sticker on it and an accompanying pamphlet from Onyx certifying the signature. But Manny Banuelos.... I guess it's a good sign that he's able to sign after the TJ surgery - still I'm definitely not excited about this one - certified Banuelos auto'd balls can be found on eBay for $40-$50 and the guy is unlikely to ever play on a big league field.
All in all I fell like this $175 could have been better spent in an auction. Not sure that this "mystery ball" thing is for me, but it was a little fun. Hope this helps answer questions to anyone out there who was considering going this route.
I usually get my autos in person or if that's not possible, shop on eBay or other auction site for them. I've grow curious about the retail autographed ball concept, so recently ordered three different autographed balls from three different vendors - was curious about the quality of the products, packaging, etc. Thought I would share info with you in case anyone else has similar interests.
I ordered from Dave & Adam's Cardworld the following:
- 2013 TriStar Hidden Treasures Autographed Baseballs Series 6 Hobby Pack $49.95
- 2013 Onyx Preferred Players Collection Baseball Hobby Box $57.95
- 2013 Historic Autographs Ball of Fame Baseball Hobby Box $66.95
The Onyx presents really well - especially for the mid-tier price point. The Tri-Star has the biggest price tag and the cheapest presentation. But hey, I didn't buy the packaging - let's see what's inside.
Here's the Tri-Star.
Definitely no-frills packaging - just a baseball inside a plastic bag inside a pouch. The pouch seems pretty impossible to tamper with, at least to the degree needed to get a ball out/in - there didn't seem to be any way to do this without making it evident. In addition to the ball, there was a bent-up piece of paper with the Tri-Star logo on one side and the players name on the other indicating it was an authentic auto per Tri-Star and a matching sticker on the ball to go with. The signature is ok, ink is a little thin in a couple of spots. Similar Peavy balls can be found on eBay for $50-$100, so all in all I'm not feeling like this was a waste of money. But I'm not a huge Peavy fan either.
Here's the Historic Autographs.
The worst packaging of the lot - just a cheap cardboard box wrapped in branded shrink wrap - the plasticy kind that is easy to cut and reseal. The ball inside is wrapped in paper and placed in a velvet bag, which is a nice touch, but I'd personally prefer they invest more in a security feature. If I were a pessimist, I would assume this had been opened, checked, and re-shrink-wrapped before it came to me. The signature is not from a young Juan Marichal, but the ink is good and the ball pristine. The ball is accompanied by a PSA/DNA certificate of authority and the ball inked to match - I feel good it's a legit Marichal. That said, Marichal balls are pretty cheap - $25-$50 on eBay, so feeling a little taken here, but not terrible as Marichal is pretty cool in my book.
Here's the Onyx Preferred.
The wooden box presents really well and is fixed with two pieces of security tape. Inside the ball is inside a plastic bag and a hard plastic ball cube. Definitely the best packaging of the bunch. I've no idea if there is a way to defeat the tape or not, but it wasn't obvious to me. The ball has a certificate of authenticity sticker on it and an accompanying pamphlet from Onyx certifying the signature. But Manny Banuelos.... I guess it's a good sign that he's able to sign after the TJ surgery - still I'm definitely not excited about this one - certified Banuelos auto'd balls can be found on eBay for $40-$50 and the guy is unlikely to ever play on a big league field.
All in all I fell like this $175 could have been better spent in an auction. Not sure that this "mystery ball" thing is for me, but it was a little fun. Hope this helps answer questions to anyone out there who was considering going this route.
Collecting Rockies, HOFers, and my favorites from the 70s through today.
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Comments
<< <i>I've never even heard of these. Interesting concept, but don't think that kind of collecting is for me. >>
Yea me either, though it wouldn't break my heart to find one in my stocking every December. Gotta find way to get my wife that hint.