I have a question about when ball point pens really started to be used to sign autographs.

I have heard before and do not remember. I know it was 50`s, 60`s. But approximate years would be nice to know. I have found a baseball signed in 60, and looks to be signed in blue ball point.

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Permalink Reply by Erich Jerozal on January 28, 2014 at 5:26pm

I did a little banging around and did find out that Bic was available then. For pretty cheap. So it is fair to say that in the early to mid 50`s ball points basically took over the autograph world.

I also found out that in the 40`s a ball point pen cost 12.50. that's insane. Supposedly they did not work well though.

I appreciate the post William.

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Permalink Reply by John H on January 28, 2014 at 5:51pm

The first one was available for sale in October of 1945, so anything after that has to be considered possible. They were big when they first came out because people thought the ink would last forever (seriously), then they took a downturn, then took off again in the 50's after mass production was developed and they became cheaper to purchase.