Schraeder’s Little Cooperstown - St. Petersburg, FL Museum of History

I recently visited this mecca of 5,000+ signed baseballs at the St. Petersburg Museum of History. Largest collection in the world. Here are a few pics. Has anyone else been there?
HOF Collection
1939 HOF induction ceremony, 11 living members
Shoeless Joe
Jackie Robinson
Ty Cobb
Babe Ruth
Ted Williams
Joe DiMaggio
Ken Griffey Sr. / Jr.
Ball Types over the Years
Nic
Guides Authored - Graded Card Scanning Guide PDF | History of the PSA Label PDF
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Comments
Very nice. Wonder what Cooperstown thinks of this collection.
Nice
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
lot of controversy in the autograph community about this collection in that a lot of these signed baseballs are thought to be forgeries
IMF
In the video they had playing, there were talking about the steps they went through to be able to use that name. Lawyers, trademarks, etc…
Nic
Guides Authored - Graded Card Scanning Guide PDF | History of the PSA Label PDF
Interesting. I did notice only maybe 1 ball that had a PSA/DNA label. The Ted Williams one shown above.
Interesting article..
http://www.autograph-market.com/in-the-media/item/autograph-exhibit-doesn-t-pass-authenticity-test
Nic
Guides Authored - Graded Card Scanning Guide PDF | History of the PSA Label PDF
MLB has a history that is significantly larger than Cooperstown. Taking the name in a different direction would have been a better strategy. There should be a place or museum that features more players... excellent players... that will likely never be in the HOF that were significant in how the game developed. Perhaps such a place or museum would be well received and there would be nothing little about it.
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
It's fair to say that museum has balls.
It's the singer not the song - Peter Townshend (1972)
As I was scrolling the pix, I thought "I wonder how many of these are fake". It has to be more than zero, it's just the nature of autographs.
If it was under 15% fake/forges that would be a near miracle. Sadly in reality it's likley 25-50% .
P.S. For most of the 1990's The Padres in their Stadium Shops unknowingly sold fake Tony Gwynn signed balls until he happened by one day an was like WTF? That unfortunately is a microcosm of the Sports autographs thoughout the past 100+ years.
It's the singer not the song - Peter Townshend (1972)
Anyone know if that ‘39 HOF ball is a known fake? That seems like the best piece in the collection and almost too good to be true.
I recall Alice Cooper had a restaurant by the Cleveland Indians stadium called "Alice Cooperstown". Rubbed the HOF the wrong way.
Yes, that is one unfortunately
IMF
Ive never been but I have seen a lot of coverage of his collection and many fakes jump out at me. The one I remember the most was HOFer Mike “King” Kelly. It was signed by Mike Kelly alright….just 1990s Braves prospect Mike Kelly.
He used to be active in many facebook groups too. People would point out the fakes to him all the time. He either thought they were being jealous or knew they were right.
The Wagner ball doesn’t look close.
Unfortunately living in FL, I am not surprised in the least. Scam capital of America, why would this museum be any different.
HOF SIGNED FOOTBALL RCS