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Best way to sell a significant sports collectible?

I have collected over the years a few autographs, not buying at auctions but collecting on my own. I have one significant item -- an autographed baseball from the 1920s with 6 Hall of Famers (Ruth, Johnson, Sisler, Hornsby, Jim Bottomley and Dave Bancroft) and a few other non HOF players (Eddie Rommel and Joe Bush).

I do not know the story behind the ball. My great uncle gave it to my father years ago, when I was about 10, but may Dad never got the story behind the ball. I was the only real die hard baseball fan in the family and my Dad gave it to me about 35 years ago. He’s 95 now and really has no memory of where his uncle got the signatures. None of my kids got the baseball bug like me. So I think it’s time for the ball to go someplace better.

What's the best way to sell something like thus? Auction house? E-Bay? If you go with an auction house, which ones are reputable? I've heard reserve prices may hinder bidding at online auctions, but I've heard others say reserve prices are important to protect yourself.

Thoughts on these questions?

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Permalink Reply by BC on January 31, 2021 at 6:30pm

Post some pics of it if you could.

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on January 31, 2021 at 7:12pm

+1 Must rule out clubhouse sigs and the like.

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Permalink Reply by Chad B on January 31, 2021 at 7:36pm

There are several great sources to sell such an item if it is authentic. The ones that come to mind are memory Ln., Heritage auctions, Goldin auctions etc.

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Permalink Reply by Todd Johnson on January 31, 2021 at 7:41pm

I'd say Heritage as well, if autographs are legit. Best to post for some experiienced opinions here.

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Permalink Reply by Pete Mills on February 1, 2021 at 4:38pm

Very helpful. Talking to SCP about the ball for their upcoming auction in March. Here are a few pics of some of the signatures. Any thoughts on reserve or no reserve?

Attachments: No photo uploads here