Interesting find.. any chance it's authentic?

[MacK]

So, my uncle found this baseball in his landlord's garage while he was helping him clean it out.

He showed it to his father, my grandpa. My grandpa then asked me if I would take a look at it.

It's a cool piece. I'm doubting it's authentic however. I can depict all the signatures on the ball, and it's a 1967 St. Louis Cardinals ball. Some of the big names include Roger Maris, Bob Gibson, Steve Carlton, Orlando Cepeda, Curt Flood, Lou Brock.

I don't know if there were mass produced "team balls" back then like there are now. I'm just really doubting it's authentic. I did find a few things though, like a few of the E's are made different.

Here's pictures. Tried to get every panel of the ball.

What do you think?

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn27 ... /ball1.jpg
http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn27 ... /ball2.jpg
http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn27 ... /ball3.jpg
http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn27 ... /ball4.jpg
http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn27 ... /ball5.jpg
http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn27 ... all028.jpg
http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn27 ... all029.jpg

 

[TBTwinsFan]

Just by a quick looksie, it looks real.

If it bothers you guys that much, I would have PSA take a look at it and cube it because it is a cool piece (if it's real)

 

[FortyFour]

making the pictures bigger would help

 

[MacK]

making the pictures bigger would help

I noticed that, and tried fixing it.

They're all at the bottom of this page.. and the last one is on the next page..

http://s306.photobucket.com/albums/nn27 ... 0/?start=0

 

[MacK]

Just by a quick looksie, it looks real.

If it bothers you guys that much, I would have PSA take a look at it and cube it because it is a cool piece (if it's real)

Yeah, we would PSA/DNA certify it people on here think it's real..

We just didn't want to waste our money, as I kinda thought having an entire team ball authenticated would be expensive.

 

[Gwynn545]

I'd be surprised if were real. The last two pictures make the autos all look the same or similar. Not that they were signed by the same person (forged) but same as in stamped. A real team ball would have very different "pen pressure" for each autograph. Does that make sense? The other pictures are too small though, so maybe the others on there look much different.

I hope I am wrong...It would be a sweet ball!

 

[MacK]

I'd be surprised if were real. The last two pictures make the autos all look the same or similar. Not that they were signed by the same person (forged) but same as in stamped. A real team ball would have very different "pen pressure" for each autograph. Does that make sense? The other pictures are too small though, so maybe the others on there look much different.

I hope I am wrong...It would be a sweet ball!

Yeah, I was thinking that it was likely stamped.

I see what you're saying about the pen pressure, but there actually are different shades of ink. Not sure if some are faded more than others or what.

 

[fkw]

Has the look of a stamped souvenir ball, the color is too consistent. I could only see 2 pics though.

Look to see if any of the sigs overlap the ball seem edges, or overlap other sigs. Most players dont write on other sigs.

 

[A_Pharis]

Looks stamped.

 

[moxacaine]

you dont have to get them all authenticated. just get like the maris authenticated. if its legit then most likely the rest are legit.

 

[200lbhockeyplayer]

I have a 1968 Cardinals World Series signed ball that looks like it was signed yesterday and it's authentic. Of note, there were about 4 different types of pens/inks used on the ball and shows some typical "pass around" ball characteristics with Tim McCarver and Lou Brock signing it twice.

Judging by the constant wear/fade of the ink on the ball, I would assume that it's a stamped ball. A lupe or a magnifying glass should help confirm it. Regardless, it's a cool collectible that 40+ years old.

 

[pigskincardboard]

It looks like it was made to look old, like someone rubbed it in soot.

My opinion carries no weight though, it was just a first impression.

 

[TBTwinsFan]

Maybe PSA can do a quick look for about $10 (For singles, IDK about team balls). It would be WAY cheaper than having it authenticated. If they say no, it is a good chance it isn't real. If they say yes, than go ahead and have them cube it. You will spend a little extra for authentication, but it will be worth your efforts.

 

[Sean_C]

Let us know when you are able to get bigger pics. If real and not stamped, the condition of it would preclude it from really being worth a ton, even though it is a World Championship team.