Can you trust any authenticated babe ruth ball?

[pokerplyr80]

I am not a big memorabilia collector, although there are plenty of pieces I would love to add. The one I've always dreamed of is a Babe Ruth autographed baseball. I discussed this with another card collector / net54 member who told me he wouldn't trust any Babe Ruth signed ball, including those authenticated by PSA, JSA, SGC, or anyone else. He pointed out this article as proof.

I know there are a lot of experts on this site, so I'm curious as to what you guys think. Here is a link to the article this member sited as evidence of his position:

http://haulsofshame.com/blog/?p=39987#more-39987

[btcarfagno]

Ruth single signed balls are absolutely a mine field, especially ones in top condition.

There are certain long time dealers whose opinion you should absolutely value above those of the major authentication companies. Jim Stinson, Richard Simon, Richard Albersheim...there are others but those three off the top of my head I would trust with a single signed Ruth.

You need to be very careful with these, especially so for examples in top condition (not that they are "more forged" but rather because of the outlay and expense).

Tom C

[Bpm0014]

Can you trust it? Of course you can. However, the best way to be sure is to post a picture on here before you buy it and most autograph experts would be happy to help. Once you get the hang of it, Ruth's autograph is fairly easy to decipher as being genuine/not genuine.

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by btcarfagno

Ruth single signed balls are absolutely a mine field, especially ones in top condition.

There are certain long time dealers whose opinion you should absolutely value above those of the major authentication companies. Jim Stinson, Richard Simon, Richard Albersheim...there are others but those three off the top of my head I would trust with a single signed Ruth.

You need to be very careful with these, especially so for examples in top condition (not that they are "more forged" but rather because of the outlay and expense).

Tom C

+1 I would also put Kevin Keating on this list of dealers to trust their opinion.

[RichardSimon]

Originally Posted by btcarfagno

Ruth single signed balls are absolutely a mine field, especially ones in top condition.

There are certain long time dealers whose opinion you should absolutely value above those of the major authentication companies. Jim Stinson, Richard Simon, Richard Albersheim...there are others but those three off the top of my head I would trust with a single signed Ruth.

You need to be very careful with these, especially so for examples in top condition (not that they are "more forged" but rather because of the outlay and expense).

Tom C

Thanks for the kind words.
I have not owned a Babe Ruth baseball in a long time. Every owner of one sends it to an auction. It then goes to the TPA's and if you have read the HOS story you know what has been happening then.

[ooo-ribay]

The auction house/authenticator relationship is a little too cozy for me.

[pokerplyr80]

Thanks for the responses. This is the ball I am considering:

[RichardSimon]

Originally Posted by ooo-ribay

The auction house/authenticator relationship is a little too cozy for me.

++++
I have authenticated for three auction houses.
Two of them were easy to work with and never pressured me on items.
One of them was always looking over my shoulder and if I rejected an item they were all over it with "oh, we got this from so and so."

[Bpm0014]

Slightly atypical in that the U intersects with the R, but good. A pre-1928 autograph obviously.