Giard is one of the "keys" to a '27 ball, having only played for the Yanks that year. Grabowski's is a fairly rare signature, as he died in a house fire in the 1940s.
Neither signature makes it more likely the ball is genuine; in fact, if one were to forge a '27 ball, either (or both) would most likely be there.
What leads us to believe the ball is genuine is the fact that he ball is right, and the signatures are right. As Jim pointed out for the Gehrig signature--which changed quite a bit over the years--the signature is correct for the time. That holds true for other signatures as well.
From a vintage Yankee collector's (me) point of view, it's too bad that the aviation signatures appear. (And I'm a pilot, as well.) But it is a very rare and desirable ball, in rather good shape.
Congratulations on a great acquisition.
Last edited by David Atkatz; 10-25-2012 at 07:30 PM.
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