What's the cheapest price one could expect to pay for an authentic Babe Ruth autograph?

frankhardy · May 25, 2007 3:33AM

I was wondering what the least someone would have to pay for an authentic Babe Ruth autograph, whether it be a baseball, photo, index card, program, or whatever.

I was thinking about this the other day. Would I trade a chunk of my collection for one? Depending on how much, I probably would. Would I trade my entire collection, no way. However, I have a few things that I have planned on keeping, but if I could sell some of those things and be able to buy one, I would consider it. One of the biggest things I would have to sell are my Pujols game used, autographed batting gloves. I know I would have to sell more than just those, but that would be a chunk of it, I know. The last pair that sold on Ebay went for $1500, and mine are the only pair from 2006 that the foundation released.

Anyway, I just thought I would bring it up and get your thoughts.

blades3 · May 25, 2007 5:33AM

According to my 2006 auction results, the lowest priced items were both just over $1,000 on a ball and postcard, but they were very poor items. The lowest prices I've seen on cut signatures or index cards are around $2,000 and that's for a nice signature, but on a lower level item.

frankhardy · May 25, 2007 6:17AM

So, it doesn't sound like it would be a big stretch to (essentially) trade (by way of selling, then buying) my Pujols game used gloves for a Ruth autograph (if I can find one).

I am still not sure I would want to do it. I do know that I can't think of a more sought after autograph than the legendary Babe Ruth.

WinPitcher · May 25, 2007 6:35AM

RipublicaninMass · May 25, 2007 7:42AM

I would say you could get a dirty single singed ball for slightly under 5k, MUCH below that you are looking at a poor auto and probably a barely readable auto. Ruth is actually a more common auto than ALOT of other people, but his is probably the most revered

MooseDog · May 25, 2007 7:46AM

frankhardy -

Ruth signatures are relatively common, but very popular in the collectors market. I know you may be attached to the Pujols gloves, but trust me, the value of those will only go down the longer he plays and the longer he markets his stuff.

On the other hand, Ruth autographs will get harder and harder to get and the price will only increase.

If I had a chance to trade out those gloves for a NICE Ruth signature I wouldn't even think twice about doing it.

PS. Ruth sigs are also one of the most forged. Be sure to get one PSA or JSA authenticated (Richard Simon is also very reputable though lesser known).

Good luck.

frankhardy · May 25, 2007 8:51AM

<< <i>frankhardy -

Ruth signatures are relatively common, but very popular in the collectors market. I know you may be attached to the Pujols gloves, but trust me, the value of those will only go down the longer he plays and the longer he markets his stuff.

On the other hand, Ruth autographs will get harder and harder to get and the price will only increase.

If I had a chance to trade out those gloves for a NICE Ruth signature I wouldn't even think twice about doing it.

PS. Ruth sigs are also one of the most forged. Be sure to get one PSA or JSA authenticated (Richard Simon is also very reputable though lesser known).

Good luck. >>

I agree with you somewhat. I knew that Ruth sigs are pretty common, but the supply for them will NEVER reach the demand. Therefore, they will always increase in value.

As for Pujols, his game used stuff is getting harder and harder to find. In 2005, the foundation only sold 9 game used auto'd batting gloves. In 2006, I have the ONLY pair that his foundation put out (other than the possibility of charity auctions). Having said that, I know that a few probably trickle into the market by other means other than his foundation, but not very many. For one thing, I know for a fact that he uses his stuff for a long while. He is not like most where they use it one game and then sell it for profit.

With that said, I know Pujols is still playing and more of his game used/auto'd memorabilia will come out, but he does restrict it a whole lot (unlike most). In your reply you said a "NICE" Ruth signature. For a NICE Ruth signature, I wouldn't have to think twice about it either. The question that I must answer for myself is "would I trade them for a low end Ruth signature?"

Thanks for the input. Keep it coming.

frankhardy · May 25, 2007 9:13AM

For those that have not seen them, here they are.

RipublicaninMass · May 25, 2007 9:17AM

Very cool!! IF I were you, I would trade for a decent Ruth auto!

Skinpinch · May 25, 2007 9:39AM

Frankhardy,

Hearing you speak of Pujols in the past, I think you would regret trading your gloves for a Ruth auto, especially since the gloves wouldn't even garner a nice Ruth auto in a straight up trade...you would still need to sell a bunch of other stuff.

It seems that you are fond of the Pujols gloves, so keep 'em.

Eat macaroni -n- cheese, Tuna Fish, and eggs for the next month...buy 10 cases of beer from Sam's club and forget going to the bar for the next six months...you will be well on your way to affording both, and you won't skip a beat in being hungry or thirsty.

Stone193 · May 25, 2007 9:44AM

Frank

The gloves are fantastic - and a keeper IMO.

I saw a really nice cut - PSA/DNA - go for 2500$ on ebay.

Ruth stuff is plentiful but also kind of expensive. Good luck.
mike

MorrellMan · May 25, 2007 10:21AM

Shane,
I'm with you on this one - an authentic Ruth single signed baseball is blue chip. There is probably no other piece of memorabilia that represents the relationship of fans to players in existence. It's probably stating the obvious, but there's a better chance of more Pujols GU gloves hitting the market than Babe Ruth signed balls. I'd go for it.
Good luck.

ripkenintheminors · May 25, 2007 11:56AM

I've been wanting a Ruth cut auto for awhile and had been seriously watching them online. For a strong sig certified in a JSA slab they'd consistently run in the $2,500 range. The prices would occasionally fluctuate, but that was the target number I knew I'd have to save up.

Have fun!

frankhardy · May 25, 2007 1:27PM

<< <i>Frankhardy,

Hearing you speak of Pujols in the past, I think you would regret trading your gloves for a Ruth auto, especially since the gloves wouldn't even garner a nice Ruth auto in a straight up trade...you would still need to sell a bunch of other stuff.

It seems that you are fond of the Pujols gloves, so keep 'em.

Eat macaroni -n- cheese, Tuna Fish, and eggs for the next month...buy 10 cases of beer from Sam's club and forget going to the bar for the next six months...you will be well on your way to affording both, and you won't skip a beat in being hungry or thirsty. >>

Sorry, don't drink or go to bars!

I definitely want to keep the gloves. At first, I thought I would sell them to make a quick profit, but I think they are keepers. A Ruth auto would be about the only thing that I would want more. With a Ruth auto, that is some major history from a legend. If money wasn't an issue, I would much rather have a Ruth auto than even the coveted 52 Topps Mantle. The only reason I would chose a 52 Topps Mantle is because they are worth so much more.

TNTonPMS · May 26, 2007 9:29PM

<< <i>frankhardy -

Ruth signatures are relatively common, but very popular in the collectors market. I know you may be attached to the Pujols gloves, but trust me, the value of those will only go down the longer he plays and the longer he markets his stuff.

On the other hand, Ruth autographs will get harder and harder to get and the price will only increase.

If I had a chance to trade out those gloves for a NICE Ruth signature I wouldn't even think twice about doing it.

PS. Ruth sigs are also one of the most forged. Be sure to get one PSA or JSA authenticated (Richard Simon is also very reputable though lesser known).

Good luck. >>

100% correct , just make sure one of these companies has put their stamp of approval .
I learned a huge lesson after being taken for 3 K on a RUTH sig that turned out to be forged .
Good luck out there .

What's the cheapest price one could expect to pay for an authentic Babe Ruth autograph?

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