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Mantle signed baseball

Someone is selling this in one of my local Facebook online garage sale sites. I'm not really in the market for a Mantle signed ball, but for the right price, I'd have an open mind.

Any thoughts on it? He only posted the one picture, unfortunately, and I know better than to trust a story like this. It may well be the story he was told, or it may not be. Even if it is, it doesn't necessarily mean that the story he was told was accurate.

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Permalink Reply by Steve on May 26, 2017 at 2:03pm

The signature looks good, but it's not a quality signature and it's not on an official ball. Doesn't even look like leather, but. Vinyl which will come off easily. Honestly, I wouldn't give $50 for it.

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Permalink Reply by MN Autograph Collector on May 26, 2017 at 2:17pm

Thanks, Steve. I thought about throwing a low offer at him, but given that he stated right in his post that he doesn't want low-ball offers, I think it's best to just leave it alone. Thanks again for the feedback.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on May 26, 2017 at 4:11pm

I think it's good, too. It was certainly handled like the original owner didn't care about value.

If you want an inexpensive Mantle ball just to have, offer him $50-$75 if that feels right to you.

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Permalink Reply by MN Autograph Collector on May 26, 2017 at 4:45pm

Thanks, Steve. I wish he had posted a picture of the Maris signature as well, even though he described it as being in poor shape. As a Minnesotan, the Maris would actually hold more sentimental value to me, seeing as he's from here.

I'm still mulling over whether I'll contact the seller or not.

Thanks again for your input.

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Permalink Reply by MN Autograph Collector on May 27, 2017 at 8:16pm

I was able to get images of the other signatures on the Mantle signed ball. Unfortunately, the Roger Maris signature is in very rough shape, but it does have signatures of Bill "Moose" Skowron and Whitey Ford, as well as two others that I can't make out. One looks like Judy Maris, but I thought Roger's wife was Patricia, so I'm not sure who that would be. Did he have a daughter named Judy? The other signature, I have no clue.

Please let me know if you can help with the others signatures, and give me any thoughts on authenticity.

Thanks!

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Permalink Reply by MN Autograph Collector on May 27, 2017 at 8:17pm

Here's the last image he sent me.

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Permalink Reply by MN Autograph Collector on May 27, 2017 at 10:27pm

I guess the one signature is Rudy Maris, Roger's brother.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on May 27, 2017 at 8:27pm

What seems strange to me, is that he's handling it with gloves now. But if he's not a collector, I guess he doesn't realize it's closing the barn door after the horse is out.

Now that we can see the entire ball, it looks worse than I thought.

$50 may be generous...but what is it worth to YOU? If you don't want to pay $300-$700 for a Mantle ball, if you just want to own a Mantle ball you know is genuine, then make an offer that you're happy with. And don't worry about insulting the owner. You may be the only offer he gets.

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Permalink Reply by MN Autograph Collector on May 27, 2017 at 8:37pm

Yeah, it's pretty rough. The condition of the Maris signature is very disappointing. Any idea who the other two signatures I couldn't identify are from?

Out of curiosity, what would a single signed, ROMLB in good condition signed by Mantle go for? I realize there's no comparison between this ball and one of those, but I'd just like some kind of baseline to go on. The baseball autographs in my collection are mostly Minnesota Twins, so I've never really followed values of other players.

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Permalink Reply by terrier8HOF on May 28, 2017 at 6:25am

I agree that the ball is is not in great shape, but I certainly would pay 75 for it. The Mantle is fine, as are the Ford and Skowron. The Maris, while very blurry, is also good. As a Minnesota fan, you will appreciate that the signature at the top of the horseshoe is Bob Allison, who is not very common.

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Permalink Reply by MN Autograph Collector on May 28, 2017 at 6:39am

Thank you for the reply. Yeah, I definitely like the Allison. I have him in a 1965 World Series program, but I know his signature isn't terribly common on a baseball. Any idea who that last signature is that I can't identify?