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Babe Ruth autographed baseball?

Hi. I just came across an autographed Babe Ruth baseball. As I am a pretty savvy collector, I know that there are many fakes out there, and this baseball has not been authenticated by anyone yet.

From initial review, I believe that it is authentic, just because the baseball is from the 1930s. The baseball also displays what appears to be the signature that Babe Ruth made on baseballs. The Babe Ruth signature looks a little too dark though for this ball. Any thoughts?

Thanks.

Dustin

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Permalink Reply by Randy on March 9, 2014 at 4:12pm

Steve Cyrkin: Two signatures were removed from the ball, so it wouldn't be a $25K ball in any case.

You: I think it would, Steve.

Guess I failed to read between the lines. I apologize.

Permalink Reply by CJCollector on March 9, 2014 at 4:24pm

The Babe Ruth is a 100% forgery.

No doubt forgery.

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Permalink Reply by CJCollector on March 9, 2014 at 4:34pm

William, I am not one of those who breaks down an autograph to determine authenticity.

I trust my "eye" 100%, and when I first looked at it I said to myself "Definitely not authentic. Looks mechanically penned."

It simply isn't "The Babe's" autograph.

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Permalink Reply by Randy on March 9, 2014 at 6:04pm

I'm not so sure that it is not authentic.

PSA/DNA didn't see enough wrong with it to opine "Likely not Genuine" as they simply gave "no opinion" so they obviously saw nothing way off on the formation of the autograph itself to reject it.

Jim Stinson, although eventually giving the "Likely Not Genuine" opinion stated the autograph itself looked dead on, in fact too good, so again he is using reasons for his opinion other than just the formation.

The autograph looks good to me and the fact that two signatures were removed could possibly lead credence to it being authentic.

However, that fact could also be an elaborate ruse to try and trick someone into thinking just what I said.

Maybe the other two autographs were forged and then removed and then the Ruth forged to turn a $50 Harridge baseball into $7K while admitting autographs were removed to keep the bidding well below what a true single in this condition would sell for.

My guess is we will either see this item for sale in the future with a legitimate LOA from PSA/DNA or JSA or the same seller will be selling it again on Ebay within the next month with no authentication meaning it failed and was returned to him for refund.

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Permalink Reply by Carl Ryan on March 9, 2014 at 4:44pm

I know nothing really about Ruths signature, but this discussion has been very interesting. Its obvious there are some very knowledgeable guys on here when it comes to Ruth. This is what makes this site so great. Good discussions with amazing information.

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Permalink Reply by Ryan Maxwell on March 9, 2014 at 5:02pm

I agree. What seems to be a common thought is that it looks too good to be true. I don't have an opinion as I haven't spent much time breaking down his signature as dreaming about owning one. But it is a reflection on the state of collecting out there, with more Ruth forgeries than authentic examples. If someone can forge a Van Gogh or other amazing work of art, I am sure there are folks out there that can and have forged signatures to this level. I would assume a percentage of JSA and PSA authenticated Ruth's are in fact forgeries. I wonder what that percentage is.

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Permalink Reply by Dustin Rouse on March 9, 2014 at 5:16pm

What makes you think that even some PSA and JSA authenticated material is forged?

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Permalink Reply by Ryan Maxwell on March 9, 2014 at 5:21pm

Somewhere out there, there are forgers talented enough. Plus everyone makes mistakes, even authenticators. It's not a 100% guarantee, just a very trusted professional opinion. I'm not knocking PSA or JSA. Just a fact of life. No one gets it right 100% of the time. Plus if someone can forge a million dollar painting, they can forge a signature.

Ever seen the show White Collar?

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Permalink Reply by Rick Meyer on March 9, 2014 at 6:20pm

You honestly think there are no PSA or JSA items out there that are forgeries that made it through?

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Permalink Reply by Dustin Rouse on March 9, 2014 at 6:34pm

I believe that there would not be very many at all that would make it past JSA or PSA.

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Permalink Reply by Fuddjcal on March 10, 2014 at 8:55am

What makes you think that even some PSA and JSA authenticated material is forged?

It's a FACT Jack!

I see what you are saying Randy, It's despicable in my opinion. It's another thing I hate about the "authentication game". It's just like the stupid "crack the case" game card guys play...LOL