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Would you purchase an autographed baseball with age spots?

llafoellafoe Posts: 7,220 ✭✭
in Trading Cards & Memorabilia Forum
Do you find age spots on baseballs acceptable or an unbearable distraction? Would you add baseballs with age spots to your collection?

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Comments

  • Stone193Stone193 Posts: 24,438 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Hiya Larry - that doesn't make me crazy - but I might consider it in how much I'm willing to pay?

    What "era" baseball is it? League? President? Maker? Where made?

    The balls made from around 1984 to 1990 in Haiti under the Rawlings logo were done without the use of distilled water - thus causing spotting or browning I believe.
    Mike
  • llafoellafoe Posts: 7,220 ✭✭
    1950s era horsehide Rawlings ball
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  • vols1vols1 Posts: 793 ✭✭✭
    Try leaving it out in the sunlight to fade the spot, it's a natural bleach.

    https://kennerstartinglineup.blogspot.com/

  • BLUEJAYWAYBLUEJAYWAY Posts: 9,551 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Try leaving it out in the sunlight to fade the spot, it's a natural bleach. >>

    Won't that fade the signatures? If so, it might be wise to cover the ball with a cloth or somesuch and cut a hole in the cloth to only expose the age spot to the sun.
    Successful transactions:Tookybandit. "Everyone is equal, some are more equal than others".
  • lawnmowermanlawnmowerman Posts: 19,477 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>Try leaving it out in the sunlight to fade the spot, it's a natural bleach. >>

    Won't that fade the signatures? If so, it might be wise to cover the ball with a cloth or somesuch and cut a hole in the cloth to only expose the age spot to the sun. >>



    I'm pretty sure he was being sarcastic.

    1994 Pro Line Live

    TheDallasCowboyBackfieldProject

  • MikeyPMikeyP Posts: 990 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Try leaving it out in the sunlight to fade the spot, it's a natural bleach. >>



    Wouldn't that fade the ink as well?

    The spots would not bother me on a unique or vintage autographed baseball. It does not look so bad, Llafoe. It adds character to the piece.
    "Nobody's ever gone the distance with Creed, and if I can go that distance, you see, and that bell rings and I'm still standin', I'm gonna know for the first time in my life, see, that I weren't just another bum from the neighborhood."
  • vols1vols1 Posts: 793 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>Try leaving it out in the sunlight to fade the spot, it's a natural bleach. >>



    Wouldn't that fade the ink as well?

    The spots would not bother me on a unique or vintage autographed baseball. It does not look so bad, Llafoe. It adds character to the piece. >>



    That's why you tape off the part that you don't want faded, a sticky note works well. Then leave it in a window that gets direct sunlight.

    https://kennerstartinglineup.blogspot.com/

  • lawnmowermanlawnmowerman Posts: 19,477 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>Try leaving it out in the sunlight to fade the spot, it's a natural bleach. >>



    Wouldn't that fade the ink as well?

    The spots would not bother me on a unique or vintage autographed baseball. It does not look so bad, Llafoe. It adds character to the piece. >>



    That's why you tape off the part that you don't want faded, a sticky note works well. Then leave it in a window that gets direct sunlight. >>



    Guess you weren't being sarcastic. That won't work for the ball pictured above. At least not for all the spots since some are too close to the ink. Besides, would you really want to chance putting an auto'd ball in direct sun? UV rays have an ability to penetrate and get in and around things. No way I'd do that.

    1994 Pro Line Live

    TheDallasCowboyBackfieldProject

  • MikeyPMikeyP Posts: 990 ✭✭✭


    << <i>That's why you tape off the part that you don't want faded, a sticky note works well. Then leave it in a window that gets direct sunlight. >>



    Understood. Thanks Vols.
    "Nobody's ever gone the distance with Creed, and if I can go that distance, you see, and that bell rings and I'm still standin', I'm gonna know for the first time in my life, see, that I weren't just another bum from the neighborhood."
  • CocoaBeachDodgersCocoaBeachDodgers Posts: 750 ✭✭✭
    I currently own 57 autograph balls (all Dodgers of course), and some are white & clean as can be, some have age stains & marks, some are game used, quite an assortment. I would not have it any other way, makes them all special in their own way. I agree though, it does affect what I will pay for the ball, just as if the signature is on the sweet spot or not, or the quality of the signature.
  • magikbillymagikbilly Posts: 6,780 ✭
    This can happen with the materials involved - all hygroscopic. Unless disastrous, I find it normal, adds character and can help identify an item. Just like toning on a coin. Storage in low humidity will help...is it ferric oxide, mildew...there is a place that will make that look new but your wallet won't look so new. Ball will.

    Eric

    Edit to add: If pure "investment" then obviously not as most other "collector/investors" will object. Same with certain wildly toned coins - it can cut both ways. Same with authentic but unusual autographs (early or odd etc). "Collector investors" often only want modern color 8x10's, undedicated in Sharpie, usually blue! Vintage pics signed in blue when Sharpie makes a wonderful vintage sepia if you have to have a recent signature on a vintage item. Well, how generic. I like long dedications and inscriptions, the more the merrier.
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