1941 Yankee Baseball---Let's have some FUN for a change!
 

An old (72, like me!) HS friend contacted me about a baseball he has & wanted my advice & opinion of it. I have already done some research, studied the pics he sent & sent him my opinion a couple days ago.

I thought it would be fun to see what you folks had to say, in a similar vein to David's 1927 Yankee ball thread. I am by no means an auto expert, but I rendered my opinion based on my collecting experience of yrs in the hobby & my research of this particular ball. Am curious to see if MY results compare to what you guys see or if I gave bad advice I can contact my friend & change it!

Here's what I'd like to know:

1-On a scale 1-10, how would you rate the sigs?
2-What else do you see significant about this ball?
3- Any comments at all are welcome & appreciated

Here are 3 pics & the list of names his Dad said were on the ball (One panel is not pictured--The Henrich-Dickey panel.)

1
Joe d is not authentic
1941 and it was the 41st season in baseball?

Sigs range from 2 - 7 in strength (with most around "3" - "4").

Joe D. is secretarial

Possibly traced over in spots? A slightly "off-color" ink looks to be added in certain (otherwise light) areas. But would need to see the ball in person, to verify.

2 - The number of signatures I could discern without looking at the list. ;)

I agree with what's been said so far. The signatures are quite weak--an arbitrary and subjective numerical scale doesn't mean too much--what's important is that most of the signatures are or are nearly illegible.
On the plus side it's an OAL ball, in excellent condition, and quite white for it's age.

Thanks alot so far guys. I had told Mike (my friend) I rated the ball an overall 4-5 of 10 due to the fading sigs. I told him the Joe D was "clubhouse" and I think the Gomez is also.

Anyone agree or disagree on Gomez? --or any others as being "clubhouse"? (I know most are very hard to see!)

I'd give the sigs a 2 - 3 at best.

To me, 4 or 5 might have some moderate skipping or sun fading, but would be complete and legible.

Just my 2 cents.

My question is where is the fun.:D

Shelly---
 

Thanks for your Joe D info! The fun would be in knowing what you think of the Lefty Gomez above Joe D---Clubhouse or authentic?

Ball was presented to me as a 1941. Usually a good "tell" is Johnny Sturm, who played in 124 games that yr and was never in the Majors again!

All players fit 1941 EXCEPT 1---Mel Queen--who was there in 1942-'44-'46 & '47.

So, am I correct in assuming this ball was most likely signed during Spring Training of 1941 where Mel was most likely on the field but didn't make the team? He spent 1941 w/ 3 diff Yankee farm clubs, including AA Kansas City.

I think you're correct. Can't be 42 since Sturm had already joined the service so that pretty much leaves Spring of 41.

Mike--
 

Thanks for your reply--I appreciate it.

(I very politely invited Shelly & Richard S to reply in re: to the Gomez sig possibly being clubhouse & re: any scarce or rare sigs on the ball (such as Art Fletcher, who Richard deems RARE in his recent Sales Letter) but so far they have not replied.)

Art Fletcher's is a quite common signature--perhaps it becomes more rare when you're trying to sell one.
He had a very distinctive "A," a large lower case style with an extra surrounding loop--just as it appears on your ball.

Thanks David--very interesting! What about Red Branch & Charlie Stanceau? Any idea on their scarcity?

None at all. Sorry.

From the looks of the ball below I will say no on the Gomez

Attachment 99773

Shelly---
 

No being not clubhouse or not authentic? Your Lefty Gomez looks alot different to me than my Lefty Gomez, so I think you mean "not authentic"----and Thank You for replying--just trying to help an old friend w/ good, reliable advice!!

I really have no idea what you are saying. The Lefty Gomez on your ball is not authentic. No more No less. Unless someone can show me or your friend any thing different You said lets have fun I am not,:(

Shelly--
 

You posted---From the looks of the ball below I will say NO on the Gomez


I was just trying to understand what your NO meant! I believed MY Gomez was "clubhouse" and you do too! We are in agreement---that's fun to me!:)