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Permalink Reply by Steve Zarelli on November 2, 2017 at 7:56am

Hard to be certain based on the grainy image, but I have doubts based on the available image. It appears to be slowly drawn.

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Permalink Reply by Travis Roberson on November 2, 2017 at 8:05am

Thanks Steve, that’s the only pic available right now. I thought at first glance it looked good but looking closer at the M’s I felt iffy. Is this what your referring to or something else I should look for?
It’s pretty pricey but if authentic would be a great deal.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on November 2, 2017 at 9:14am

I agree with Steve. The shape is pretty much in line, but it looks labored. It's a good rule not to buy unless you have large, clear images. Craigslist is a pretty treacherous place to buy autographs, too. Even worse than eBay.

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Permalink Reply by Travis Roberson on November 2, 2017 at 10:01am

Thanks Steve, I’m going to pass on it. It’s on craigslist with another Mantle ball that looks to me to be a clear “banana” forgery but this one stumped me.
I guess when you have that feeling “but... what if it IS real”, there’s a good chance it’s not.
Sincerely appreciate the help!
Travis

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Permalink Reply by Steve on November 3, 2017 at 9:56pm

Slowly drawn, slanted downward. I got Mantle at shows a few times. Although he was one of the nicest and accommodating athletes I ever met, I never saw him sign a ball with inscriptions all over the ball. They had a tight reign on what he signed and inscriptions due to his UDA contract. I had a long discussion with his agent at one of his last shows at the Riviera in Vegas and heard it from the horse's mouth.

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