Mathewson Ball on Ebay... ended tonight

[CW]

Link to auction

I was going to out this one pre-auction, but chose to wait in case someone here wanted it to fly under the radar. I am no expert, but sometimes things just don't look right. This ball seems to be too clean, in my opinion, and the auto just looks like it was drawn carefully, not signed by Christy.

Perhaps the final price indicates some reservation from bidders, as I'd expect a real Matty ball to sell for much more.

Thoughts?

[GrayGhost]

Originally Posted by CW

Link to auction

I was going to out this one pre-auction, but chose to wait in case someone here wanted it to fly under the radar. I am no expert, but sometimes things just don't look right. This ball seems to be too clean, in my opinion, and the auto just looks like it was drawn carefully, not signed by Christy.

Perhaps the final price indicates some reservation from bidders, as I'd expect a real Matty ball to sell for much more.

Thoughts?

I don't like it and yes, it looks drawn and a good Matty goes for a LOT more than that.

[Big Dave]

If the seller is the one who purchased it from RE, he lost a fair amount of money, considering ebay and PayPal fees.

[HOFAUTOS]

Looks like it sold for about the same price is did at REA.

Personally I would never purchase a Mathewson signed baseball.

http://www.robertedwardauctions.com/...85.html#photos

[bender07]

Originally Posted by HOFAUTOS

Looks like it sold for about the same price is did at REA.

Personally I would never purchase a Mathewson signed baseball.

http://www.robertedwardauctions.com/...85.html#photos

Agreed. I'm leery of any pre WWI stars single signed balls on the sweet spot

[Big Dave]

It would appear, due to the price it sold for in both auctions, few thought it was authentic.

[Runscott]

Disclaimer: Dave, I think the following is basically agreeing with you, so please don't get upset with me.

What does it really mean when a bad ball sells for $8,800? Surely the winner and underbidder thought it was real, or they wouldn't have paid anything for it.

I think it's more likely that the top two bidders thought it was real and that they were getting a great deal, but as Dave basically said, those who knew how to i.d. a real Matty autograph stayed away from it.

Other option is that someone bought it figuring they could re-sell it for more.

[CW]

Ah, thanks, Dave, and others about the REA auction info on this ball. I was unaware of that previous sale.

And while it doesn't prove anything, it is interesting to note that the 2nd place underbidder on the Ebay auction conveniently bid that same as the REA ending price. Not conclusive by any means, but could possibly be the original owner "protecting their investment".

I may take minor leaps of faith every day of my life, but $9K leaps of faith can be a little hard to stomach.

If I was fortunate enough to have a legit Matty signed ball with rock solid provenance in my collection, I sure wouldn't want these watered-down "authenticated" versions running amok in the market.

[RichardSimon]

Originally Posted by Big Dave

It would appear, due to the price it sold for in both auctions, few thought it was authentic.

+1

And JSA once again issues a COA for an enhanced signature.
How can an enhanced signature be authentic?

[shelly]

I really dont understand why anyone could be upset. It is authenticated by JSA

[RichardSimon]

Originally Posted by shelly

I really dont understand why anyone could be upset. It is authenticated by JSA

I would rather have it authenticated by SJ then JSA.

[Runscott]

Never mind - it's been fixed, or I'm blind.

[RichardSimon]

Originally Posted by Big Dave

If the seller is the one who purchased it from RE, he lost a fair amount of money, considering ebay and PayPal fees.

Why buy it in REA, where prices realized supposedly are so high, and then try to sell it on ebay, where prices realized usually are lower than in major auctions?
Buyers remorse?