Killer find on Ebay

[prewarsports]

I almost wrote this message a few days ago but did not want to come across as a party pooper or anything so I didn't, but I would hate to see you spend tons of time and money in research and not at least hear the other side of the story when it comes to valuing these types of things. Just letting you know from my experience with having sold two game used balls from World Series' in the 1910's. First one, very little provenance and everything just fit (sort of like yours) where I was sure it was the real deal and so did the seller etc. 1918 Game Used Ball with notations and stuff on the ball about George Tyler, sold for about $500-$750 in a bigger auction (about 8-10 years ago).

Now for the biggie, Last April I sold a 1915 Boston Red Sox game used World Series ball from Dick Hoblitzells estate. I had a signed letter from his daughter stating the ball was real and from her father and that he himself had explained it was from game 5 of the series, it was autographed by Hoblitzell etc. It had THE most air tight provenance to any ball from a series I have ever seen or heard of. It had it ALL when it came to reserach and prevenance, so I had high hopes for it and it was in a major auction (REA) where it was paired up with Hoblitzells cleats from the series, a photo of Dick scoring the winning run from the very game the ball was from etc. Long story short, Ball got about $1000 despite having everything you could ever hope for ($1900 total but it included the other items).

So, while your item is very cool and I am sure it is what you have determined it to be, buyers are VERY skeptical of this type of stuff and even when you have all the info you are looking for and then some (like mine did) they do not sell well because at the end of the day you are buying an old baseball and a story and with all the fraud going around (Halper etc) people just do not like shelling out big bucks for this type of stuff.

As a result, I would keep up with the research as long as it is fun and enjoyable for you and cherish the super cool item you have (you seem to very passionate about it and I like that), but dont plan your retirement yet.

Please do not think I am saying anything negative at all, I personally believe your item is probably as you state it is (probably not the last out ball because I have never seen or heard of an opposing player flipping a ball to a guy who made the last out ever in my life as a player/coach/fan spectator/historian, it just doesn't work like that in baseball) BUT, I think you have a really nice historical artifact that definately has ties to the 1917 World Series and you cant beat the price. I just wanted to relay my experiences with you so you can take it for what it is and think about it as you do your research and try to place a realistic value on the item.

Great find and I wish you nothing but the best in your research and eventual sale if that is your plan!