Conference school::sports_memorabilia

    Just last week I seen an ad in one of the trade newspapers $ 250.00
    Hold onto it - its value will steadily increase as his signing shows
    decrease.

    I've seen a big demand for his autographed ball.  Mostly, by big
    dealers.  Unless you need the cash I'd also recommend a hold.  It
    will be worth a lot more as Joe gets older.
    Mike

    This is as good a try as any.  My late grandfather gave me a ball
    signed by Joe DiMaggio, Burt Shotten, Bucky Walters, and one other
    person (I'll have to go check).
    
    How do I get this appraised?
    
    *How do I care for this ball?*  It is deteriorating a bit, the 
    signatures are getting hard to read, and its value is going up-up-up.
    It's at least 25 years old.
    
    K.
    

    I don't know where you live, but the owner of the card shop in W.
    Concord, Mass. does apprasials.  The shops name is Great American
    Baseball cards.
    
    Regards,
    Denny

       See 422.1

    
    
    
         I am the proud onwer of a 1972 Oakland A's baseball that was
    signed by Joe D. on the sweet spot. Joe was a coach or in the front 
    office for the A's. It also has the signitures of Rollie Fingers, 
    Jim "Catfish" Hunter, Reggie Jackson, Vida Blue, Johnny "Blue Moon" Odoms, 
    etc...
    
         I took my prize into a shop to have it appraised and the guy
    offered me $ 3,500 on the spot. I declined. Asking around in
    Cooperstown, while I was honeymooning, I discovered that Joe D. does
    NOT sign "round" objects anymore.(Balls, Bats, etc...). He very seldoms
    sign papered autographs now days.
    
         As far as care for any autographed baseball,put one thin coat
    of hairspray on it. This will act like a shellack and protect the
    signitures and leather against moistures. Avoid handling the baseball,
    oils from your skin deteriorates the laether and ink. If you have to
    handle it, hold it by the seams. Put the baseball in a storage case.
    They usually cost $ 5.00 to $ 6.00, a cheap price to protect the most 
    vaulable item in your collection. Keep the baseball out of direct 
    sunlight, because sunlight breaks down the ink used to autograph the ball.
         
    
         Take my advise and do like I have, get a case for the ball, store
    out of direct sunlight, and enjoy it, Because we own one of the most 
    prized and cherished items in the baseball world. By the way, mine sits 
    on the coffee table as a center piece for all who enters my house to enjoy.
    
    
    

    Now that's a marriage!  Honeymooning in Cooperstown...
    
    :^)
    
    K.

    
    Do not, I repeat, do NOT spray anything on your autographed baseballs,
    lest I be forced to club you upside the head!
    
    Hairspray?  Who gave you this piece of wisdom?
    
    Do you know how many chemicals there are in hairspray?  And how many
    different brands probably use one or two minute different chemical
    substitutions?  Have you seen reports that indicate how long the ink
    will hold up under exposure to each of these chemicals, and a
    combination of them?  Me neither, but I sure as shooting wouldn't
    take the chance.  I know that "aerosol" varnish will cause the
    surface/finish on a bat, and the chemicals in "sharpie" ink to
    disintegrate.
    
    $5 or $6 for a ball holder?  A ball qube can be found for $1.25, and
    is just as nice as those round holders with the gold base -- except
    it has the added benefit of allowing you to see the entire ball w/out
    having to remove any type of "base" -- and can be placed on any flat
    surface.
    
    Ch-
    
    	I don't mean to jump on you your first time in the notesfile,
    but information your disseminating as gospel can be dangerous in
    the hands of uninformed people.  Hairspary?  No way.  $5 or $6
    for a ballholder -- uh uh.  You can get a ball qube, treated with
    an ultra-violet screen for $8-10
    
    	Also, I agree, you have one really nice collectible.  And you're
    right that it should be admired/treasured.  However, $3,500 is far
    more than I think it's worth.  I believe you could replicate that
    ball for far less than that (providing there's no really big
    deceased names on it).
    
    	Joe D *does* still sign "round" items.  Each show he does, he
    limits baseball autograph tickets to 50.  If you contact his agent,
    he WILL sign bats and uniforms for you.  He signs for the shopping
    networks ($pricey$), and he does arond 10-12 shows a year.  I'd
    hardly say that's "never signing anymore".
    
    	You are right though -- keep ink signatures out of the direct
    sunlight, or any really bright artificial light/heat sources.
    
    -rjk

    	Roy....I agree 100% about hair spray. Most hair sprays have alcohol
    as a major ingredient. Alcohol will separate then dry fiber. It will
    cause fiber to dehydrate so rapidly it could cause the hide to crack
    into a gazillion little areas. Much the way a winshield cracks. Other
    ethylene, glycol ethers, and petroleum products will cause inks to
    break down and spread, causing signatures to appear faded and over time
    look like a tatoo from the 30's on a 90 year old man's arm.
    
    	Don't collect stuff myself but dabble in chemistry and chemical
    reactions to humans and the environment.......
    
    Ken

    Do you know what hair spray can be used for with great success? Taking
    the ink stains out of shirts..... imagine what the signature will look
    like disappeared...