Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Joe Neal on September 3, 2012 at 12:28pm

So you're positive the ball is from that time period?  No chance of the 60s?  It is authentic leather though ritght?

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Permalink Reply by David Jackson on September 3, 2012 at 12:29pm

nope, not a 60's ball

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Permalink Reply by David Jackson on September 3, 2012 at 12:40pm

in pic number 4 here, I can make this out:

Rawlings started stamping the RO-A Cushioned cork Center logo on their balls in 1977.  I can clearly make it out.  Plus the color of the ink I see narrows it down for me to the early 80's at least.  But I am possitive its no earlier than 1977.  Yes its authentic leather.  Its an official American League ball.

90% of the family "stories" you get with memorabilia or any antique is incorrect.  This ball is still worth what we talked about .

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Permalink Reply by Joe Neal on September 3, 2012 at 1:38pm

Man, you've been a big help.  I can kinda see that too.  You know your stuff.  I ended up purchasing it and I feel very comfortable with what I got it for.  

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Permalink Reply by David Jackson on September 3, 2012 at 5:13pm

Glad I could help in some way.  The signature stuff I learned from these guys here that know a whole lot more than I could ever dream of.  The details of the ball and production and dates I learned by spending hours reading and researching for my own collection.  I still know very little in the full scope of it all. 

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Permalink Reply by Steve Zarelli on September 3, 2012 at 1:46pm

I agree the signature is authentic. I also think the logo was intentionally removed for whatever reason... Maybe to make the ball appear older. The scuffing on it is not natural game wear.

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Permalink Reply by Joe Neal on September 3, 2012 at 2:07pm

What's your thoughts on value since the scuffing is not natural?  Does that take a big chunk off value?  

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Permalink Reply by Steve Zarelli on September 3, 2012 at 2:27pm

It is certainly a condition issue that will have some negative effect. It's purely a guess, but I suspect a ball like this might sell for around $225 give or take.

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Permalink Reply by terrier8HOF on September 3, 2012 at 3:53pm

wow, I'm not sure if you can get that much for it in the condition its in.  I was thinking more like $150.00.  there are hundreds of nice Mantle autograph baseballs available on ebay right now, and for $350 or so, you can get a much better quality baseball.  Your signature is really nice, but the ball looks like a dog ate it. sorry, just my opinion.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Zarelli on September 3, 2012 at 4:00pm

You could be right and perhaps my estimate was a bit optimistic. Despite the value, it's an autograph in good supply. Why buy a damaged one when many better examples exist? A steep discount is the only explanation for accepting a damaged ball.

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Permalink Reply by Fuddjcal on September 3, 2012 at 4:32pm

ruff, ruff, very rough.

'm out at $135.00 strictly because of condition such as Dog bite marks and logo being scraped from the ball. Clearly the ball has been defaced. When I'm looking at condition, I want very little toning or none at all . I also don't want as much as a nick on the ball, so Fido chew marks just kill it for me IMHO

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Permalink Reply by David Jackson on September 3, 2012 at 4:53pm

The new pictures definitely show it rougher than it looked in the ball case, and the sweet spot is smooth.  Someone intentionally roughed this ball up to create a story about it being older, im almost sure.  They ruined the full value by trying to deceive.  For me a Mantle signed ball with the signature itself that bold, its worth 200 all day long to keep in your collection.  if your trying to resell then no you wouldnt want it unless it was 120 to 150 probly.  you still will get 200 to 250  on that ball even without cert of authenticity if you sit on it long enough though.  you can always find steals when it comes to Mantle signatures because like zipper said, its so common. There are im sure hundreds of thousands out there. 

Since its already defaced there would be no harm in trying to clean it up.  Id probly take a 400 grit sandpaper and smooth out the rough areas and bam, it will look nice.  In a ball cube I have learned from a pro that you can only display one side anyways, and the signature side of this ball is cherry I think.  The toning is from the non distilled water they used in the factory those years.  Its common.  yeah some people like pristine white balls but those run a premium.  you WILL pay for it. people who cant afford a $500 ball will gladly pay $250 to 300 just to have one.

In this industry or any other. The item you have for sale is always worth as much as whoever wants it bad enough has to spend on it.  Thats like saying wherever you go there you are, but its true, lol.  I have seen balls that should have sold for $1,000 sell for $200 on ebay, and more times than not I see balls that should sell for $200 sell for $500 and up because you get 2 uneducated buyers who go at each other on it. 

Your ball is nice. You should be proud of it.  The one and only, and one of the top 5 players of all time once held that ball and put his name on it.  It's special period.

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