Fading ink, feels bad man

[isaac2004]

First off, I took an extended break from autos of any kind for like 5 years. I got overwhelmed with hunting and trying to complete collections and got burnt out. I got married, have 2 boys and am happy with my life.

I have a plastic tub that holds my autographed baseball collection. I was going through it, and came across the below baseballs that I was successful with a TTM request. These autos are great because they have the hit inscription which is a collection I have (3000 hit club). They have no been in the sun in years and yet they are faded to hell. I am certain the issue is the ball I chose (cheap China ball I was ok with never getting back). Are these a lost cause? Anything I can do to stop them from fading further?

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1N2k...w?usp=drivesdk

[Leon]

Yikes. I have no idea but that is a shame.

[mrmopar]

I don't think there is much you can do. The ink bleeds on those cheap balls. I have a few similar to that myself.

In hindsight, I dodged a bullet by not getting a cherished in person signature as a kid, as the player left early. I was crushed at the time and have since gotten multiple signatures and had that long awaited meeting in person. Had I gotten the signature at the time though, it would have been on one of those crappy souvenir balls and I'd be thinking the same thing as you today.

[isaac2004]

Originally Posted by mrmopar

I don't think there is much you can do. The ink bleeds on those cheap balls. I have a few similar to that myself.

In hindsight, I dodged a bullet by not getting a cherished in person signature as a kid, as the player left early. I was crushed at the time and have since gotten multiple signatures and had that long awaited meeting in person. Had I gotten the signature at the time though, it would have been on one of those crappy souvenir balls and I'd be thinking the same thing as you today.

Is there a place to get non China baseballs in bulk for a non insane cost?

[packs]

I would suggest you bite the bullet on the cost of official MLB baseballs. This issue isn't contained to only one brand. I think you'll run into the same fading no matter what cheaper option you buy.

[Dewey]

I stopped collecting signed baseballs because of this fear, even though I only used official baseballs. Not sure my fear was rational if using official balls, but it is what it is. Though I can report no fading.

Total bummer. Sorry that happened. Definitely worth ponying up if you want to keep going. Those boys might be happy you did.

[SetBuilder]

Probably cheap synthetic "PU leather," a/k/a polyurethane leather.

Nasty stuff. Basically foam.

[Runscott]

As a kid I bought a nice-looking but cheap baseball to get the 1973 Reds to sign. One panel was beautiful and still is. The other started fading slowly until now it's just a blank panel, including a beautiful 'Johnny Bench'.

Sorry to bring more bad news. This is why I don't buy fading autographed balls, even when they look okay today.