Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mike Shepherd on September 7, 2012 at 6:26pm

Varnish decreases the value of an autographed baseball in the same way that laminating a signed photo would decrease the value of that particular piece.  I have seen highly reputable and respected dealers sell varnished baseballs for a lot of money depending on the signature.  Obviously names like Babe Ruth and Joe Jackson would still command a very high price.  Those are the names that I am referring to.  Who's signature is on the ball?

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Permalink Reply by Greg Gonzales on September 7, 2012 at 7:11pm

Joe DiMaggio.  Getting this from the person who actually obtained the autograph on the ball from DiMaggio in person.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on September 7, 2012 at 8:02pm

Eye appeal is a big part of it, Greg. Post a pic and get some opinions of value.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Zarelli on September 7, 2012 at 8:11pm

Is it really nail polish or is it shellac on a vintage ball? Big difference. A photo would help.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Shepherd on September 8, 2012 at 1:26pm

Considering the fact that it is a Joe DiMaggio signature and that he signed so many baseballs at conventions and otherwise wouldn't it seriously diminish the value of the item?  I could see if it were a rarer piece but DiMaggio isn't that difficult to find.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Zarelli on September 8, 2012 at 5:55pm

If It was a 40s or 50s signature with light shellac, it could still be quite desirable. A 90s sig with nail polish is worthless. Unless the OP provides more details it's impossible to provide a meaningful answer.

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Permalink Reply by Bill Panagopulos on September 8, 2012 at 4:52pm

"Nail polish" (I assume you mean shellac) on a modern DiMaggio ball would make it worth less than a manicure. 

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Permalink Reply by Greg Gonzales on September 10, 2012 at 5:58pm

Here is a picture of the DiMaggio ball.  Appreciate your comments!

Attachments: No photo uploads here

• Dimaggioball.jpg, 87 KB

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Permalink Reply by Steve Zarelli on September 10, 2012 at 6:02pm

Oy. 

It is ruined. No one will pay for this when hundreds of near flawless DiMaggio balls are available at any given time.

Sorry.

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Permalink Reply by Greg Gonzales on September 10, 2012 at 6:28pm

Thank you. That's what I figured.

This ball was acquired from Mr. DiMaggio by widow of another Baseball Hall of Famer.  It is in the possession of the widow of the Hall of Famer.  What we are looking at is whether it might be desirable to have in a collection where resale is not the goal. 

Part of this is that we know the person who obtained the autograph and do not have to wonder about authenticity. There is a picture surrounding the event as well.

Really appreciate your comments and happy to receive more. thanks

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on September 10, 2012 at 7:14pm

Greg,

The provenance (history) of this ball counts if it can be documented; and of course, which HOFer the owner is a widow of. It can increase the value much more than the ball's condition would otherwise dictate. I doubt that anyone here considered that the ball had valuable provenance until you mentioned the HOF connection.

It probably goes without saying, but please don't name the current owner here without her permission. Email others here or me for suggestions of people to talk to that you can disclose the owner's name to who will keep it discrete.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on September 10, 2012 at 6:24pm

I moved this discussion to Baseball Autographs and Memorabilia. The links will stay the same.

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