Quote:
Originally Posted by chalupacollects
Hello everyone,
Ran across a 1955, could be 1957 Yankees team signed ball this week. The Mantle is signed in the early version of his signature and not the "banana" style we see most often.
Sorry don't have a picture yet...
Question - Does that type of signature still seem right for a 1955 or 57 team ball?
When did he change over to the banana style "M's" ?
What would a team ball range in value for that year?
Thanks!
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Neither the 1955 nor the 1957 Mantle signatures look anything like his post career examples. By 1955, Mantle had started to make a loop at the front of the M's, but there are some examples that are more stick like M's that he had pre-1955. By 1957 there was a definite loop in the M's, but still nothing like what it would become later.
Don't base the year on his signature. Cross reference the other players on the ball and find out what years they played for the Yankees. Try to find ones that you know didn't play for them for very long. If you find someone who only was a Yankee for one year you have likely found the year of the ball. If you have two players, one of whom was a Yankee, say, from 1952-1957 and another from 1957-1960, it would have to be a 1957 ball. The only year the two were teammates on the Yankees.
Value is impossible without an image. Also, especially by 1957, clubhouse Mantles became very prevalent. Neither team won the World Series which diminishes interest a fair amount.
Tom C