Does a marker signed ball have less value than a pen signed ball?

spazzy · October 2, 2015 2:04AM

Is the value of a marker single signed ball less than a pen signed ball assuming all are considered the same?

totallyradd · October 2, 2015 2:28AM

Yes. Sharpie will fade over time. In my opinion the signature doesn't look as clean on a ball in marker than it does with a pen.

Edit: A ball signed in pen can also fade, but not nearly as quickly. Be sure to get an AV ray protective case, also.

FirstBeard · October 2, 2015 3:27AM

We (unfortunately) got a lot of balls signed with sharpies in the 80s and early 90s at games. Many have bled into the ball, and some faded completely. It took less than 10-15 years for this to happen. So if you have a "vintage" ball signed in marker and it hasn't faded yet, you may be in the clear.

However, we noticed that the sharpie survivors that did not fade at all were all on gamers (i.e. balls rubbed with the special mud). Something about it must seal the pores of the leather. Very interesting. Anyone else experience this?

bounce · October 2, 2015 6:55AM

depends - if the signature has faded then yes the sharpie signed is probably worth less.

i have had similar experience with the gamers, although i would also say sometimes the regular balls will hold up to the sharpie.

best examples i can think of are with baseballs signed by presidents - i have a couple signed in sharpie and they haven't bled at all and they're over 10 years old. i think some of it has to do with the pen itself, how the ball was stored, lots of different factors.

all that said, if i'm getting a baseball signed tomorrow, i'm trying to use a ball point pen if at all possible.

Ironmanfan · October 2, 2015 7:13AM

all else being equal, a nice pen signature presents better on a OMLB in my opinion.

IMF

craig44 · October 2, 2015 11:17AM

I agree. Pen autos on balls present much better

Does a marker signed ball have less value than a pen signed ball?

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