1946 Yankees ball

[Archive]

Posted By: Keith O'Leary

A co worker of mine brought a Yankee's team signed ball hes had in his family since 1946 in to work today and I'm here holding it.....hes wondering what its worth The story is, his aunt worked in Panama in 1946 and a co worker of her's was a girlfriend of one of the Yankees who held spring training there at the time. Its a Ken-Wel official Major League, has red and blue stitching, Joe DiMaggio and Joe McCarthy on the sweet spot, and is super clean (its been wrapped in some sort of brittle celephane) condition (also has the box). Other names I can make out are Frank Hiller, Tommy Byrne, Harry Craft, Ken Sylvestri, Hank Majesky, Bill Bevens, Steve Roser, Rick Rolfe, Gus Niachas, Tom Henrich, Charlie Keller, Joe Page. It has 29 signatures total.

I wanted to add it looks like all signatures are in the same pen.

[Archive]

Posted By: Dan Bretta

You would have to show pics of the ball for anyone to even begin to assess a ball like that. I don't think I've ever seen a red/blue stitched Ken Wel ball - that in itself is pretty cool.

[Archive]

Posted By: Keith O'Leary

[Archive]

Posted By: Mark

Wow... if that isn't a Gem Mint 10 Ball, I don't know what is! That thing must have been wrapped up just minutes after obtaining the final signature. Most collectors did not have the smarts to do that back in the day. This may be the nicest-condition ball I have seen of that vintage.

Jodi (or one of the autograph gurus) can probably render a better estimate as to the value... so I'll refrain. But I believe this one could inspire quite a bidding war, if it went to market. Thanks for posting the pics!

[Archive]

Posted By: Mark

Keith:

Even though the vintage cellophane has protected this ball throughout the years, you may now consider using an ultraviolet protective display. This way, you can display the ball and Ken-Wel Box together.

It will also protect the ball well. The vintage cello covering appears to have some browning/spotting... especially near Red Rolfe's name. There is a slight danger of this staining transferring to the ball's leather surface. I would actually remove it. Any other opinions/feedback would be welcomed!

[Archive]

Posted By: Al Simeone

Keith,
I agree with Mark that is one of the nicest Yankee balls I have seen in a long time.Very clean no doubt real. Thanks for posting the pics. A great item!

[Archive]

Posted By: Dan Bretta

Wow! That is a beauty. I know most would be attracted to the autographs, but that Ken Wel ball and box are outstanding.

I'd like to add that even though the signatures were obtained in 1946 that ball is probably from the mid 1930s or earlier.

[Archive]

Posted By: Jimmy

you are right all signatures look like they are from the same pen and it appears to be a clubhouse signature ball. I have to say the box and the ball really make this a nice collectable item.

Jimmy

[Archive]

Posted By: ascards

Is there any chance that that is a souvenir ball ? They could be bought at the gift stand even in the 40s and 50s.

Regardless its in remarkable shape

[Archive]

Posted By: Jodi Birkholm

First, get the ball out of that wretched cellophane! It actually serves as a detriment to its ultimate preservation. Secondly, it is very difficult to clearly see all the signatures. I would ask that you post updated scans sans cellophane. The "perfection" of this ball is marred with the clubhouse Joe McCarthy signature. While an active MLB manager (especially during his tenure with the Yankees), McCarthy would have others sign items on his behalf. He became a greatly accommodating signer in-person and through the mail following his retirement from the game. The appearance of a secretarial version of McCarthy's signature on team-signed Yankee balls is more common than not.

I would like to see the ball out of the plastic wrap.

[Archive]

Posted By: Keith O'Leary

The owner of the ball will be back to work tomorrow and I will let him read this thread. If he agrees to remove the cellophane, I'll have to get a ball holder before doing it, but I'll be sure to take additional pictures and post them. Would anyone like to take a guesstimate on value so he can read that also?

[Archive]

Posted By: Mark

I'll be the first to throw out a guess, just for fun (and to bump this thread up again...)

Pre-cellophane removal... I will say $1,475. The cool ball and great condition help the value, but the clubhouse McCarthy brings it back down (sort of a counter-balance...) As a bidder, the clubhouse McCarthy would eat away at me.

It is also kind of inbetween the eras that command big money. Too late to have Ruth, Gehrig, Lazzeri, Pennock and Huggins.... and too early to have that early-career Mantle variation that everyone wants.

Eager to hear what others would quote... and Henry Yee is not allowed to vote