What to do with a faded baseball signature

[nyr1994]

I was wondering if anyone has any thoughts on what to do with a faded signature on a baseball.

I recently bought a collection of baseballs from my local card shop.

Many of the balls were light signatures. It seems that the Selig era MLB balls tend to fade.

One of the balls appears to be Derek Jeter. It has a Steiner Sticker on it. What makes it unique is that it is also a Game used ALCS ball. There is an MLB sticker.

Does anyone know a way to try and reinivergate the signature? I am thinking some old school CSI techniques.

I can't in good conscience try and sell the ball as it is. I could always try and remove the Steiner sticker and sell it as the ball alone.

Any thoughts?

Jim

[Lucas00]

Get Jeter to resign it. That's about all you can do.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Lost ink can not be regenerated.

[NiceDocter]

1. Sell fast before it fades away entirely
2. Retrace the signature and swear it was that way when you got it ( never has worked for anyone in the past but 10 millionth time is the charm)
3. Batter up!!! Play with it…..
Wish I had better news….. sorry

[Chris-Counts]

On a related topic, I've considered putting shellac on several of my old signed baseballs.

[Lucas00]

Originally Posted by Chris-Counts

On a related topic, I've considered putting shellac on several of my old signed baseballs.

Anything but Scotch tape!

[nyr1994]

That was going to be my next question. Has anyone every tried "sealing" a signature. Nail Polish, deck sealer, Anything?

I figure if the signature is going to fade away, something is better than nothing. It may lose value but at least it is worth something.

[Lucas00]

Originally Posted by nyr1994

That was going to be my next question. Has anyone every tried "sealing" a signature. Nail Polish, deck sealer, Anything?

I figure if the signature is going to fade away, something is better than nothing. It may lose value but at least it is worth something.

I don't know of anything personally. Some old balls from the 20s look like they were just signed, some you cant read a single signature.

Many of Babes still look quite good, whatever type of steel tip he used was either very ink heavy, or he presses harder than most.

In any case I'm more in the period signed flats camp. We know ink on paper can last a millennium because we have ancient examples. So I just think it's a good bet.

[Brent G.]

My kids have gotten many dozens of balls signed at the ballpark over the last decade or so. Over time, almost all of the signatures signed in black ballpoint from those early years have faded away, while blue has stayed strong. Lesson learned.

[NiceDocter]

Not recommending this but pencil autographs last forever on any surface.