Maris signed baseball

[Joe Hunter]

Any thoughts on the authenticity of this Maris autograph?

[Duluth Eskimo]

Is that on a Cronin ball?

[CrownSports]

That's not an official league ball. No opinion on sig

[Joe Hunter]

It’s on a Gateway Sporting Goods ball. Gateway was big in the KC area in the 1950’s and 60’s.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

.

[rand1com]

I would opine not authentic. I have not seen legitimate examples with the break in “Roger.” However, it could be authentic. Letter formation overall is pretty close. Hopefully others will reply.

[Duluth Eskimo]

I would lean towards authentic. Not so smooth in the first name, but looks like a late playing days example. Just my opinion.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Authentic, vintage example which I suspect fell victim to some very carefully executed enhancement many years ago.

[Joe Hunter]

So you think it may have been traced over, at some point?

[shelly]

I wonder if he changed pens. That could be the reason for the gap
you can see how much darker the signature is after the gap

[Joe Hunter]

Shelly: That's a great observation. That could very well account for the differences in the ink thickness between the "rog" and "er Maris". I really appreciate all of the help with this ball. Usually I'm pretty confident with Maris, but this one threw me, a little. At this point, I'm leaning towards "good" and will probably go ahead and bid on it. I was thinking, also, that Gateway was big in St. Louis in the '60's and the ball could have been signed during his time with the Cardinals.

[shelly]

I sort of remember people on this site talking about them. If so can you please remind me about what was said.

[rand1com]

Originally Posted by shelly

I wonder if he changed pens. That could be the reason for the gap
you can see how much darker the signature is after the gap

This explanation makes sense. As I said, I have never seen a legitimate Maris with the break in his first name but the light color of the ink in the "Rog" may have indeed been the reason for the break and darker balance of the autograph. I do not think it has been traced.

[Joe Hunter]

Thought I would post an update on the Maris signed baseball. First, I was able to see it in person as it was in a local online auction. The signature, in person, was just amazing; much better than the picture they had posted on their site and the "picture of the picture" I posted here. I was hoping it would fly under the radar and I could pick it up for a good price. Unfortunately, it didn't. It ended up just north of $1000 with juice. I bowed out about half way there. I was surprised it went that high, but based on the quality of the signature, that may be close to its value. Probably won't come across a better one anytime soon.