Help with Ruth auto ball find UPDATE - Should I Buy?
vintagefun
Posts: 1,974 ✭✭✭
For the many that don't know, I do not have a local card shop. I do have a local coin shop and I have on occasion found some cards there, but I stop in every now and again just to see how things are going. I popped in today after about 10 weeks to get a lighted loupe.
When I walked in he says "have I got something for you! I was hoping to see you soon"
He proceeds to tell me about a customer who's father passed and brought in the contents of a safety deposit box. Mostly gold coins but also this baseball. He bought the coins but has not purchased yet this baseball. He wants to know if I'm interested in splitting the cost of ball and grading. It's not really my bag so I doubt I'll partner but would love to help him out.
The Ruth is the cleanest of the autos. I can also see Jimmie Foxx, a faded Joe Cronin above Babe, Al Simmons, some that I might be able to make out with some effort, and a few that will probably be quite difficult to figure. I'd say there are maybe 12 autos on the ball.
Would appreciate opinions.
Thanks
Jim
UPDATE:
Went back in today and shared feedback that ball seems pretty good. He decided he's gonna buy it and was gonna have authenticated. I told him I never thought I'd stumble onto one and was now thinking I might like to have it, but only if 500 or less. He let me know that he can only sell authenticated items if over a certain dollar amount. I told him if he's willing to forego the profit potential of paying to authenticate and resell, that I'd be willing to pay the seller cash, and give him a finders fee. His cost is roughly 350, so he could make a quick 150 and not have the cost/risk of authentication. He said it's mine if I want it.
I took some pics if the other autos and would really appreciate feedback on whether or not I should jump at this.
Here's the Foxx and Gheringer
Here's the Al Simmons
Here's the others with the list of who they thought was on here. I did not see Gherig anywhere, nor Medwick. Cronin is above Ruth but faint. There does appear to be other autos but they are too faint to even attempt to guess.
So...should I buy this thing???
When I walked in he says "have I got something for you! I was hoping to see you soon"
He proceeds to tell me about a customer who's father passed and brought in the contents of a safety deposit box. Mostly gold coins but also this baseball. He bought the coins but has not purchased yet this baseball. He wants to know if I'm interested in splitting the cost of ball and grading. It's not really my bag so I doubt I'll partner but would love to help him out.
The Ruth is the cleanest of the autos. I can also see Jimmie Foxx, a faded Joe Cronin above Babe, Al Simmons, some that I might be able to make out with some effort, and a few that will probably be quite difficult to figure. I'd say there are maybe 12 autos on the ball.
Would appreciate opinions.
Thanks
Jim
UPDATE:
Went back in today and shared feedback that ball seems pretty good. He decided he's gonna buy it and was gonna have authenticated. I told him I never thought I'd stumble onto one and was now thinking I might like to have it, but only if 500 or less. He let me know that he can only sell authenticated items if over a certain dollar amount. I told him if he's willing to forego the profit potential of paying to authenticate and resell, that I'd be willing to pay the seller cash, and give him a finders fee. His cost is roughly 350, so he could make a quick 150 and not have the cost/risk of authentication. He said it's mine if I want it.
I took some pics if the other autos and would really appreciate feedback on whether or not I should jump at this.
Here's the Foxx and Gheringer
Here's the Al Simmons
Here's the others with the list of who they thought was on here. I did not see Gherig anywhere, nor Medwick. Cronin is above Ruth but faint. There does appear to be other autos but they are too faint to even attempt to guess.
So...should I buy this thing???
52-90 All Sports, Mostly Topps, Mostly HOF, and some assorted wax.
0
Comments
i'd say a low end multi-signed ruth probably ranges anywhere $2-4k
https://kennerstartinglineup.blogspot.com/
Thanks
Jim
<< <i>Couldn't you have PSA do a quick opinion on it? If not, I would take the risk and pop the 500 >>
Yes. But I figured I could save a few bucks as I know there are solid auto opinions here. I've largely made up my mind to roll the dice. I was about to buy 4 boxes of assorted Heritage to rip to the tune of close to 500 and lord knows this has a far better ROI potential, and what I like most is the story of how it may end up in my hands.
Edit: actually looks like they only do QuickOpinion on auctions.
I have some red flags here.
First - convenient that the Ruth is bold and readable while all others are badly faded. Could be lucky. Could be a bad sign.
Second - there is wear on the Ruth, but it's not even. Some parts look faded out, while others look hardly worn at all. Wouldn't it fade in a more universal manner?
Third - $2,000-$4,000 ball that the seller is moving for $350?
It could be good. But, I would get the opinions of more knowledgeable people here (maybe Vito, he seems to be in the know), on the autograph forum, or over at SCN before plunking down $500.
My .02 says it looks nice though!
Those are the Harris, Cochrane and Rowe as noted on the paper.
My only opinion about this ball at the moment is that the condition is very problematic IMO.
Interesting article on Ruth signatures (scroll down for many exemplars and more):
link
Eric
Eric