We are an eBay affiliate and may be compensated for clicks on links that result in purchases.

Babe Ruth - rare inscription, signed baseball sold way low?

I would really like to get some feedback from Babe Ruth collectors and dealers regarding the authenticity and value of this baseball. To me it has the appearance of something special.

This is a Babe Ruth signed official American League baseball. It is a single-signed Ruth ball, although not signed on the sweet spot, but my thinking is...who cares? The reason I say that is because it comes with a special inscription without its being personalized. The ball is signed on a side panel; "Babe" Ruth World Series 1927.

Although there may be more single-signed Ruth balls out there with this inscription, I personally have not seen one. So in summation, this is what the ball has going for it: the ball is in good condition, it's an OAL ball, Ruth signed it with the more rare quotation marks, the signature is bold, and he inscribed it World Series 1927!

Ruth fans and most baseball fans in general will know that the 1927 New York Yankees, often referred to as "Murders Row", are considered by many people to be the greatest baseball team of all-time. The fact that Ruth added World Series 1927 therefore makes this ball even more special than most Ruth balls. Personally, I would rather have this single-signed Ruth ball more so than one signed on the sweet spot.

Now, while I think it's authentic, what do you think?

And finally...here's something crazy: this ball sold on eBay for only $2025. I think it went unnoticed; plus, it did not come with an LOA from PSA or JSA, so people might have been afraid to bid.

Given all the things I have noted, I think this ball might be worth 10 times what the lucky buyer paid. Am I right about that or not?

Here's a link:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Babe-Ruth-1927-World-Series-Signed-Autograp...

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by James on September 27, 2016 at 11:24pm

Here's a pic.

Attachments: No photo uploads here

IMG_3024.PNG, 5.6 MB

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on September 27, 2016 at 11:54pm

It might have gone unnoticed. Did it? I find items bring prices commensurate with value/quality/authenticity...generally.

Eric

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by James on September 28, 2016 at 1:51am

Not all the time, that's for sure. People do find diamonds in the rough. I myself have found some great deals on eBay. The only question for me is whether or not this ball is a reproduction, in which case, the buyer lost a lot of money. But as I stated above, it has many great qualities. Normally, a Babe Ruth ball that goes for $2025 is one where you need infrared light in order to even see the the signature, or else it is extremely, extremely faded.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by James on September 28, 2016 at 12:15pm

Eric, you were right on this one...good job.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by CJCollector on September 28, 2016 at 4:01am

I won't divulge the process, but that "Ruth" was not hand-penned.

The baseball itself is also NOT "authentic."

I was going to post a thread on that seller and item, but forgot all about it.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by terrier8HOF on September 28, 2016 at 4:33am

my first impression when I looked at the ball is that the ball is not original.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Don Webster on September 28, 2016 at 7:03am

As a potential buyer you have to ask the following...

If this ball was yours to sell would you not get it authenticated ??

Wouldn't the result of a positive authentication bring 3-4-5 times the price ??

And this seller is a long time highly experienced seller...not some grandmother with a single item from her late husband...he knows how things work...

Why wouldn't you authenticate it ??

Well because A) you know it's not legitimate or B) see previous answer A...

Your common sense should always your trump starry eyes...

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by James on September 28, 2016 at 12:17pm

You know I'm glad, on the one hand, that it's a reproduction so I don't have to kick myself for missing this one. However, I hope the buyer realizes it in time to get a refund.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by James on September 28, 2016 at 12:13pm

Thanks for the pic, Christopher. Yes, this seller is a crook, because he has to know that he was selling a fake as he's an experienced seller. I am shocked by the buyer as well because he too is experienced, having completed 914 transactions.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by James on September 28, 2016 at 12:08pm

I see all the tiny little dots that make up the ball stampings, which is indicative of a reproduction. And I see them a bit in the Babe Ruth signature, but to a lesser degree. Usually I can tell right away that a ball is a reproduction, but it seems like the maker did a better job with the autograph and inscription on this one. But I agree now that it is in fact a reproduction.

Thanks to everyone who commented and cleared this up. I feel bad for the buyer, but I have a feeling he is going to figure this out, and hopefully get a refund.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Steve Zarelli on September 28, 2016 at 1:00pm

Bear this in mind...

There are MANY well-trained eyes on ebay all the time.

Occasionally a seller may not know what he or she has and you can get a steal on an underpriced Buy It Now. But in the auction format, you are NOT going to steal a rare and valuable autograph if the auction is titled correctly.

Way too many pro-dealers and seasoned collectors watching Ruth to let a good one slip by for peanuts in auction format. If no one is bidding on it, there is a reason why.