Help with a Mantle ball

[Fuddjcal]

I would assume this is on a Lee MacPhail or older ball?? I'm not that familiar with his old style, which I assume this is or is trying to be? It has characteristics I like and some I don't. For starters, I don't like the way the first M has 2 different pen pressures. I also don't really like the shape of the M's, though it could be more like his early sig, I don't know? I don't like baselines of Mickey or Mantle (droopy c, droopy a). I especially don't like that the "i" is not dotted. All 50+ items in my collection have a dotted "i" for whatever that's worth. I don't like the "tle" and the straight plane it's on.

I do like the apparent speed it was signed with, causing the pen to skip? I do like there is a slight "heavy spot' where the first "M" starts. I do like the interaction between the "Ma".

Personally, I couldn't say one way or another as much of my research does not include older versions. I imagine some characteristics are the same, but really don't know. The Lowly Mantle Collector wouldn't buy it, but I am buying less and less these days anyway...

[David Atkatz]

Thanks very much, Chuck.

[Mr. Zipper]

Originally Posted by Fuddjcal

I don't like the way the first M has 2 different pen pressures.

I wanted someone else to chime in first , but I had the same reaction. The pen pressure and speed appears to be inconsistant and that is a concern.

That said, if this is a fake, it's relatively deceptive and certainly a cut above the mass produced junk.

[David Atkatz]

Thanks, Steve.

[71buc]

That version looks slightly similiar to this 1962 team ball posted for sale at Grandstand Sports. http://grandstandsports.com/pages/49337.htm

[David Atkatz]

Bump.

[ss]

I don't like it. The spacing of Mickey is off. It looks drawn to me. I think it's a pretty good fake.

[Kzoo]

Although I'm not a Mantle expert, IMO the blue ink looks too 'fresh', almost as if it was signed yesterday. My initial gut feeling is to pass.....David, what are your thoughts? You've been around autographs for a long time.

Matt

[perezfan]

Would it be dumb to say I like the "Mantle", but the "Mickey" looks suspect? I know it's either all-real or all-fake, but that's how I keep seeing it. Sorry to be of no help... I guess that's about as non-committal as it gets!