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Is this Willie Mays? And by chance is it authentic?

Hello again.  My father recently passed and left me a few signed baseballs.  I think this is a Willie Mays auto but I am not certain? Thoughts? Carl Morton and Ron Reed are also on the ball.  Thank you for you help. 

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Permalink Reply by Josh Board NEW & Improved on September 8, 2024 at 5:21pm

I'm not liking the Mays one

Permalink Reply by Chad Michael on September 12, 2024 at 6:38am

Thank you Josh.  I assume it was Mays...does it even look close to his? Or maybe someone else? IYO

Permalink Reply by AustinCollector on September 8, 2024 at 7:23pm

I don't believe this would pass professional authentication 

Permalink Reply by Chad Michael on September 12, 2024 at 6:39am

Thanks Austin.  Like I mentioned to Josh above I assumed it was Mays by appearance.  IYO does it look anything like his or possibly someone esle? 

Permalink Reply by AustinCollector on September 12, 2024 at 5:14pm

Hey Chad. First, let me apologize. I didn't read your post the first time.

I'm very sorry for your loss. I too lost my father recently and I remember the feeling of going through his things.

This is definitely an attempt at a Mays signature -- just possibly not in his hand based on my initial (and distant remote online) assessment. Mays has a very distinctive style to his signature that has evolved over the years. 

Optimistically, and in full transparency, there's a small chance that it's very rushed Mays signature. It just lacks enough common characteristics to say it's absolutely authentic. Only a professional authenticator examining it in person would be able to give you a firm answer. 

What bothers me right now is the overall size of the signature, the proportions of the letters to each other, and some slant and flow characteristics. 

Do you know anything about the history of it? If you knew your father went to games and only collected in person signatures, that would be a clue for you to consider. 

Permalink Reply by Chad Michael on September 14, 2024 at 5:27am

Hey Austin...thanks for the words and your time! Very much appreciated.  He frequented many games from the late 50's and beyond.  Including Spring Training games in Central Florida.  There were two other names on the ball so my first thought was that he got all 3 at the same time, somehow.  I am unsure as to where or when or if these three would have been on the same filed together, either on the same team or opposing teams....

Permalink Reply by AustinCollector on September 14, 2024 at 2:19pm

I'm thinking the odds are in your favor on this one, then. 

Permalink Reply by terrier8HOF on September 13, 2024 at 9:59am

the other signature is Ron Reed.  The Mays is ugly but very possibly could be a vintage, rushed in person example

Permalink Reply by Steve on September 14, 2024 at 8:59am

I completely agree.  Mays changed his signature a bit from his playing days to whaat we commonly see now.  The signature was larger, more flowing and the way he made the W was more like an actual letter back then.  I think this may very well be good.

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