How do you know if a certificate of authenticity is for your autograph baseball?

Answer 1

First determine if the signature is hand written or a facsimile or stamped signature. A preprint, or facsimile is simply a photographic copy of an original signed photograph. A preprint signature often appears to be below the surface gloss of the photo, and the signature is often very "flat." Hold the photo up at an angle to a light source. A real signature is written on the surface of the photo, and should have a different level of reflectivity than the rest of the surface. A preprint will blend right in with the surface because it's underneath the surface gloss.

With a stamped signature Baseball the ink would be too consistent. When you sign your name, you use different angles, and pressure as you sign. This is more evident when signing with sharpie. Some parts of the signature will be darker, or lighter depending on the pressure you put on the pen, or sharpie. With a stamped signature it is usually all the same density, and thickness. When you cross a "T", or at the end of your signature you might tail off as you come off the page. A stamped signature might start, and end with no variation at all.

Once you have determined that the signature is hand signed and not a facsimile, compare the signature on line with other signatures that have been properly authenticated. This will also help you determine if the signature is hand signed or a facsimile. If you find signatures that are exactly the same with no variation then chances are it is a copy. If you feel comfortable that the signature could be authentic then have the signature authenticated by a professional company.

An autograph that is not authenticated by a creditable company could sell at half the price or less than one that is. Two of the top, and most trusted authenticators are PSA/DNA, and James Spence Authentic (JSA). Collectors will pay more for signatures authenticated by either one. Check the respective websites Show Schedule to see if they will be in the area that you live. They also do business through the mail. But before spending money on having the autograph authenticated do your homework.

Answer 2

Even if you have a professional model Babe Ruth Bat, same size, and model, you would need a letter of provenance from a team official or player to accompany the bat. Provenance is the history of ownership of a particular item. It allows the buyer to secure additional insight as to the origin or chain of custody of the item. A letter of provenance from a fan or stating it is from a collection is not sufficient.

Answer 3

First thing you should do is determine if the signature is hand signed or Facsimile stamped signature as would appear on a promotional or souvenir baseball.

With a stamped signature baseball the ink would be too consistent. When you sign your name, you use different angles, and pressure as you sign. This is more evident when signing with sharpie. Some parts of the signature will be darker, or lighter depending on the pressure you put on the pen, or sharpie. With a stamped signature it is usually all the same density, and thickness. When you cross a "T", or at the end of your signature you might tail off as you come off the page. A stamped signature might start, and end with no variation at all.

If the signature is hand signed. Find signatures on line that have been properly authenticated, and compare them to yours. If you feel comfortable that it can be authentic then proceed to have them authenticated by a reputable company.

An autograph that is not authenticated by a creditable company could sell at half the price or less than one that is. Two of the top, and most trusted authenticators are PSA/DNA, and James Spence Authentic (JSA). Collectors will pay more for signatures authenticated by either one. It may sound odd but in some cases PSA/DNA, and JSA authenticated signatures may sell higher than a Letter of authenticity from an unknown or less trusted authenticator that witnessed the signing even though PSA/DNA, and JSA did not. It's just a matter of collectors trust, and collectors will pay more for it.

Check the respective websites Show Schedule to see if they will be in the area that you live. They also do business through the mail. But before spending money on having the autograph authenticated do your homework, and compare the signatures. See Related Links below for PSA/DNA, and JSA.

Answer 4

First determine if the signature is hand signed or stamped on. If it is hand signed compare thje signature to others on line that have been properly authenticated. If it is likely to be a hand signed authentic signature you can have it professionally authenticated by a company like PSA/DNA or JSA. Signatures that are not properly authenticated could sell at half the market value or less.

Answer 5

the baseball does not have an attached tamper proof hologram on it that matched the COA you really don't know. That is why signatures that are authenticated by companies like upper Deck, or PSA/DNA sell at a higher price. These companies use matching holograms on the item signed, and the COA to assure that the signature is authentic. During the 1990's the QVC network used to sell Autographs accompanies by a Scoreboard inc. COA's. Not using holograms signatures authenticated by scoreboard sell well below the market value.

Answer 6

Authenticating signaturesMany people find baseballs and do not know if they are authentic. The first thing to do is determine if they are hand signed or printed on as a souvenir baseball would have. This bis a common mistake.

Once you have determined that the signatures are hand signed compare your signatures with signatures on line that have been properly authenticated. You will find many signed baseballs at various auction houses.

If you feel that the signatures are likely authentic and hand signed then have them professionally authenticated by a trusted company like PSA/DNA but before spending money, do your homework

Answer 7

Watch the Sandlot.