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Babe Ruth Lou Gehrig Jimmie Foxx Autographed Signed Baseball Drew Max AAU Pawn Stars Authenticator

We posted this on another website, but I felt this item needed exposure over here, too.

First, we have a baseball that contains the names of Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Eddie Collins, Tris Speaker and Mickey Cochrane. The ball and signatures are authenticated by Drew Max, FDE of AAU (Authentic Autographs Unlimited).

Mr. Max calls himself a FDE (Forensic Document Examiner). He has appeared on the Pawn Stars reality show frequently.

The first photograph shows the baseball listed on the Live Auctioneers auction platform. The baseball sold for $3,200.00.

The next two photos show the Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig signatures. In my opinion, the two most obvious flaws on this baseball is that the autographs are slowly penned and the lack of aging within the ink. Look at the Lou Gehrig signature. It's pathetic. But somehow, Mr. Max, during his forensic examination of that baseball, did not notice (all it requires is the naked eye to see it) that the signatures were slowly penned.

Next is the Full LOA from Drew Max.

Next is a letter from Marc Goldman that accompanies the Drew Max LOA.

Now remember, this sold for $3200.00 on the Live Auctioneers auction platform. Then it showed up on Ebay. The seller listed it with a Buy It Now for $35,000 or Best Offer. Ebay has already removed it, but here is the original listing.

Now here is the best part.

First, the baseball itself.

Below is an explanation about the baseball from baseball expert Brandon Grunbaum.

This is a link to Brandon's website. Please check it out: www.historyofthebaseball.com

There are obvious characteristics in the stamping that show me this is transfer type of application. The ink quality is not typical of stamping that was used for that 1934-1939 model, it shows dotting and inkjet characteristics. second, it is not at all crisp like genuine models, even worn stamping is still legible and crisp even if its faded. Third, in the bottom logo from the pictures you posted, in the "Cushioned Cork Center" stamping, the "K" in Cork, and the "C" in Center are touching and nearly on top of each other. This is what happens when a transfer type of stamp bends to the curvature of the ball whereas the sheet or transfer is flat, and when pressed onto a round surface it causes it to bend and overlap (think of when you used to use patterns on paper to carve pumpkins). Fourth, The ball itself is worn only behind the stamping areas, this is done so the ink doesn't bleed, but it's a complete giveaway. Look at the "Q" in "Quality", it has bled because the ball was too slick in that area to hold the ink. This would never happen with the metal stamps and ink quality used in that era. Also the leather and stitching are not consistent with that model ball.

Well, there you have it.

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Comment by Steve Zarelli on August 8, 2012 at 9:47am: So the ink appears to fail, the medium fails and the formation, speed, flow and size all fail.

It leads one to wonder just what type of forensic analysis is being conducted. What exactly passed?!?

And just how happy would he be to defend his analysis in court?

Comment by roger epperson on August 8, 2012 at 10:02am: Wow the stamp is pixilated alright, that's a trip. If they were stamped flat, before it was made into a ball it would be crisp, I don't know how they did it back then but I believe "pad printing" was around back then which would work perfect too. Pad printing is where the image is inked then pressed to a soft pad then stamped onto a round surface. The soft pad would form around the ball.

Comment by CJCollector on August 8, 2012 at 10:08am: Exactly, Roger and Steve.

What forensic examinations did Mr. Max actually perform on this baseball and signatures.

Did Drew Max physically examine this item at all? Well, Mr. Max?

What exemplars did Drew Max use? Look at those slowly penned signatures.

Mr. Drew Max, FDE?

Comment by CJCollector on August 8, 2012 at 10:18am: This is from the same auction platform.

Comment by Grappher99 on August 8, 2012 at 10:23am: To All Concerned Parties, RUNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN

Comment by Grappher99 on August 8, 2012 at 10:25am: It begs the question, has Drew every defended any of his items in a court of law?

Comment by CEE GEE on August 8, 2012 at 11:02am: Nice Chris !!!!!...you truly read my mind...I was going to email you this last night...I saw this on ebay...I never was one to bash Mr.Max...but seriously...he would be better off waiting tables...

Comment by CJCollector on August 8, 2012 at 11:04am: That's funny, Cee Gee.

This really begs the question "Does Drew Max physically examine items like this?"

Comment by Richard S. Simon on August 9, 2012 at 5:23am: I can smell the ink from here, this one looks like it was signed a few days ago.

Comment by Mark Berry on August 10, 2012 at 7:22am: This ball fails almost every single criteria for authentication that I can think of.

I'm pretty stunned to be honest.