Gehrig Real?

Have a look and let me know what you think. Looks like there is a blemish on the u in Lou. Is this a forger's attempt to hide a fake? Any other red flags? value? Comes with Steve Grad PSA cert. Thanks.

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Permalink Reply by Hank Scorpio on September 17, 2013 at 2:32pm

Here is the attached photo.

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Permalink Reply by Hank Scorpio on September 17, 2013 at 2:33pm

Here is the attached photo.

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Permalink Reply by terrier8HOF on September 17, 2013 at 2:36pm

many balls from the 20's and 30's were shellacked as they did this to preserve the signature. in the case of this ball, it has not degraded too badly. I have one from 1929 that has Ruth, Gehrig and several other HOF'ers that was shellacked over the signatures, and while the ball is nice, off white, the signatures actually turned brown. I wouldn't be too concerned about the shellacking on this ball, it appears to have kept its color pretty well.

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Permalink Reply by Hank Scorpio on September 17, 2013 at 7:55pm

Terrier,

Thanks for the opinion. So $3500 is a fair estimate?

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Permalink Reply by terrier8HOF on September 17, 2013 at 8:22pm

based on what I see on other similar balls of this time period, I would say that is a fair estimate. Asking prices are a lot higher than that, but what they actually sell for is another story.

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Permalink Reply by Hank Scorpio on September 18, 2013 at 4:52am

Thanks T. I will let you know what I decide to do.

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Permalink Reply by Randy on September 18, 2013 at 6:04am

Here is one that is much nicer than the one you posted that sold in a Heritage auction for $2200. Not sure if that includes the buyer premium or not but even with a 20% buyer premium this one sold for $2640 at the most. The Dimaggio rookie autograph is sharp and the Gehrig is nicer than the one in your picture. All of the autographs look nice on this ball. Not sure what the others look like on the ball you posted but you said the Dimaggio was very weak which besides Gehrig is the key along with Lazzeri on this team ball. This one also had a thin coat of shellack as you said the one you pictured also had.

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Permalink Reply by terrier8HOF on September 18, 2013 at 6:23am

first of all, it is a matter of personal opinion which ball is "nicer".

the auction you posted is almost two years old. Markets change.

Dan, the buyer determines the items value. decide what it is worth to you, and go for it. the range should be 2500-3500.

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Permalink Reply by Hank Scorpio on September 18, 2013 at 7:05pm

Gentlemen,

I wanted to tell you that I purchased the Gehrig ball for $3,300. All in all I feel it was fair and I am excited to add a sweet spot Gehrig to my collection.

I am not sure if you guys remember but I also posted a "Sincerely Babe Ruth" ball with the possible signature removals a few weeks ago. I ended up not purchasing it. In case anyone is curious it went for roughly $11,500 which is close to double its worth! And in all honesty I did not have full confidence in the signature at the end of the day.

Thank you all for your opinions. I valued each of them.

Dan

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Permalink Reply by GraphingMlb on September 18, 2013 at 7:53pm

What a Prize!!!Congratulations man.

Permalink Reply by Randy on September 18, 2013 at 8:20pm

Congrats on the '36 Yankee team ball. Gehrig is an elusive autograph that most collectors never acquire. Keep looking for that single signed Ruth. They are available but will never be cheap.