Think this '51 J DiMaggio ball is worth $200?

It would be nice to have a good DiMaggio signature from his playing days for this cheap, but does the inscription lower the value significantly enough to bring it under $200? It's hard to judge how much an inscription hurts the value, so I'd appreciate any opinions.

Thanks,

Mark

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Permalink Reply by Null on September 14, 2015 at 7:14am

Inscriptions definitely kill the value by at least 50% or more on those whose signatures are readily available. Joe D signed plenty. I wouldn't spend $200 on this personally, although it does look nice and is a pretty fair price IMO.

Now if this were a "To Ryan" I'd pull the trigger immediately... =)

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Permalink Reply by Mark on September 14, 2015 at 2:02pm

You seem to have a good point about inscriptions killing value. Here's a similarly inscribed DiMaggio on a Feeney ball that went for about $110 shipped on eBay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/JOE-DiMAGGIO-Autographed-MLB-Charles-Feeney...

Still, the older signature from his playing days and it being on an old Harridge ball (with the orig Reach package) made it worth buying. There was also a nice story from the family about how the original owner got it from Joe at a Yankees game and how much it meant to the owner. It doesn't add to the value but it's nice to know it was a source of pride to someone for a good 50 years.

Speaking of inscriptions, I have an old Ernie Banks ball inscribed "To Mark. Hope." Even though it wasn't autographed for this Mark, it has still worked as a positive message to me from the real "Mr. Sunshine" whenever I look at it, and it's even picked me up a little during some harder times.

Thanks again!

Mark

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Permalink Reply by terrier8HOF on September 14, 2015 at 4:24pm

the issue with inscriptions is a personal choice. it bothers some people, whereas the extra handwriting actually attracts others.

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Permalink Reply by Randy on September 14, 2015 at 6:46pm

Although the Feeney ball was a bargain at $110, you are correct that a playing days Dimaggio autograph on a Harridge baseball is worth much more than a 30 year post career personalized autograph on a Feeney ball.

You got a great deal at $200 IMO.