Good evening all. First post ever. I was referred to this site from patneshek.com (very Twins heavy site and more lower end stuff).
I have in my possession what appears to be an Official American League Baseball (Ban Johnson) from around 1927 (blue & red laces). The person I acquired it from claimed it was his grandfather's who passed away a few years ago. He had sold the other baseballs after being told that they were likely "clubhouse signatures". He had the sense to keep the ball out of his home because he was/is a smoker and stored it at his friends house until the day I came to buy it. The ball appears to have all the legitimate stamping and signs of being a legitimate baseball from the mid-late 1920's. The autographs on the ball seem to be of the 1927 New York Yankees including Babe Ruth (on the sweet spot) & Lou Gehrig. There are a few autographs that are missing or have faded so bad you cant see (Tony Lazzeri, Ray Morehart, Benny Bengough, Walter Beall) but the rest are there and seem to be pretty close to the autographs I could find on eBay that were PSA/DNA authenticated (not saying PSA is gospel, but it is what it is).
What makes the ball even more interesting, is some sort of connection to the National Air Show. Someone at some point wrote on the ball "National Air Show Waco "8" 1927. There also appears to be 3 autographs in black pen (the baseball player autographs are in blue) that arent tied to the Yankees. I can't make out two of the three, but the one I can read says "John P. Wood" who was a professional pilot during those air shows in the 20's until he passed away in a trip over California. Two coincidences. #1: the guy I purchased it from has the last name of Wood, but said his grandpa and great grandpas names were not John and he had no recollection of that being in his family. #2: John P. Wood flew the plane called the "Baby Ruth" which was sponsored by the candy and if I remember correctly, the candy was named after a President's daughter, not the Great Bambino.
My hope is that you guys can give me some tips or tricks to help solidify its authenticity by taking a look the pictures below and maybe giving me some things that are red flags or things that would lead you to believe that it's legitimate (especially Ruth & Gehrig's autos). I have been in the hobby long enough to know that there is plenty of fake stuff out there and that forgers have gotten great at finding ways to "age" ink and baseballs. I also would love any resources or suggestions on being able to do some additional research that I can provide to PSA/DNA to help solidify the authenticity if it truly is good.
Thanks a ton in advance. I can post additional pictures if need be, these are the 3 I have right now.
10-25-2012, 06:08 PM
Ruth/Gehrig Help, Thoughts, Ideas for research
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