How much is my baseball worth?

Founder of Keymancollectibles.com, and a long time collector, Steven KeyMan has more than 30 years of experience in researching, and cataloging information on Baseball Memorabilia. First used for his own personal collection, and then by helping others find information on their collectibles, the website grew into the largest online resource for baseball memorabilia

Ask Steven: Direct your questions or feedback, about Baseball Memorabilia to Steven KeyMan Steve@keymancollectibles.com You can also Send KeyMan pictures of your personal Memorabilia Display, and get your own Free Collectors Showcase Room featured on the website..

-Revised on 3/9/16

	The most common question asked by people searching for information on baseball memorabilia. "How much is my autographed baseball worth?" Along with other signed items there are too many factors involved to simply answer this question with a price. The value of any collectible is based on the average price of recently closed auctions and sales. Values will vary based on Condition, and with autographs, along with other factors, the item signed, Grade, and the type of authenticity that accompanies the signature. Condition, Grade & Display - As with all collectibles this could be the most important factor of all providing that the signatures are authentic. The condition of the item signed, as well as the Grade and Display of the signatures. "Eye Appeal" The signature should be strong, and bold, as opposed to faded and hard to see. In the case of a baseball a sharp, crisp blue ballpoint pen would be most preferred over sharpie which tends to "bleed" on a baseball. Sharpie would be most preferred on a bat, or Photo. The overall placement and display of the signature is major. The shortest distance between two seams on a baseball, the "Sweet Spot is the location on the baseball that is most preferred to display a signature. it is centered as to the point of view, and pleasing to the eye when displayed. The sweet spot is the section of a baseball typically reserved for the team manager on team signed baseballs, and is the most desirable spot for an autograph on single-signed baseballs. With Photos, baseball cards or any printed material, the color of the ink used for the signature should contrast the background over where it is signed. For example; black ink used over a dark area will blend in with the background, not stand out, make a poor display, and lower the value. Item Signed - The Value of an autograph will also vary depending on the item signed. Baseballs are the most common, and preferred by collectors because of it's connection to the game, low cost, availability and it displays the signature well. The signed baseball represents the average price for a signature, and by deducting or adding from this price for the Item signed accordingly will give you a general idea on value, for lack of sales data for your item signed. The item signed with the lowest price would be a "cut Signature." A cut signature is a signature on a piece of paper, or "cut" from a larger piece. Index cards are the next step up, and both sell at about 10%-20% the price of an autographed baseball. Autograph photos typically sell at about 40-60 percent the price of a baseball with bats, uniform Jersey's and equipment selling at a higher price due to the higher cost of the item, rarity and display. The percentage will vary depending on the rarity, and demand for the signature. Collectible items could add value to the price of a signature if it makes a better display, such as the cover of a magazine or baseball card but not always. The signature could also lower the value of the item signed. As in the case of a baseball card. In general, collectors of baseball cards would rather have a baseball card without the signature. The signature would be considered as a flaw in the condition of the card. A collector of signatures will not always pay extra for the "collectible" baseball card. This is why it is not a good idea to have an expensive baseball card signed. If the signature has a lower value than the collectible item signed the value could be lowered to the value of the signature. Single Signed Baseball - is the term used for baseballs that have been autographed by only one player. Balls that are single signed can be worth more than a baseball that has multiple signatures with the same noted player. In most cases a collector of that noted player might not have interest in the other signatures on the ball. The demand is higher for the single signed. Team Signed and Multiple signed Baseballs - The value of a multiple signed baseball cannot be priced by the value of each signature added up. Multi signed baseballs are valued as a group of signatures, and how desired that group is as a whole. This does not necessarily mean that two signatures will sell for less than one, but in most cases it does, or at least not the full value of the two signatures added up. Team signed baseballs are a group of signatures, autographed by the majority of the members of a particular team. Value will vary based on the amount of signatures, and key signatures acquired. Key signatures are the most important signatures on a team signed baseball. The more complete the baseball with key signatures the more valuable. The placement and grade of these signatures could also dictate the value. Most collectors consider 15 -19 signatures a good minimum for a team signed baseball but 21 or more signatures is a solid number. Less than 10 signatures could be considered a multi signed baseball, and the value will rely on the key signatures. Authenticity - Signatures that are not properly authenticated could sell at half the market value or less. Collectors will not risk paying top dollar for a signature that is not authenticated by a reputable company. Third party authenticating companies such as PSA/DNA or JSA-James Spence Authentic, command top market value, but not as high as an autograph that was "signed-in-the-presence" of the seller or a representative of a third party authentication service. The validity of the signed-in-the-presence status of an autograph is dependent upon the integrity and reputation of the seller or authentication service. The largest and most respected signed-in-the-presence authentication services include; PSA/DNA, MLB, Steiner Sports, and UDA-Upper Deck. These companies use matching tamper proof serial numbered stickers on both the item signed and C.O.A. assuring that they belong together. Back in the in the mid 1980's QVC - Home Shopping network commonly sold signatures accompanied by Score Board Inc. The signatures they sold were authentic, but scam artists were able to easily copy the COA and use them to sell fake autographs. These type of COA's hold little or no weight, and will bring a much lower value. How was the signature(s) acquired? If you witnessed the signing then you know for sure that it is an authentic hand signed signature. If you found the Item in a box, or at a garage sale for example then there is a chance that the signature is not authentic. It can also be a facsimile signature or a stamped autographed baseball. Before you spend money on having the signatures authenticated be sure that they are not facsimile signatures. A lot of people mistaken stamped or facsimile signatures as authentic hand signed. Facsimile signatures are printed on the item. A hand signed signature on the surface of the photo has a different level of reflectivity than the rest of the surface. A pre-print will blend right in with the surface because it's underneath the surface gloss. With stamped autograph baseballs, the ink will trend to be more uniform, or the same density throughout. Do your homework. If you know for sure that the signatures are authentic then it might pay to have them professionally authenticated. If not find signatures on-line that have been authenticated, and compare them. If they are at least close then proceed. You don't want to spend money on authenticating a signature on a garage found baseball, that was placed there by some kid fantasizing, and signing his favorite ballplayers name. It happens. "How Much is my autographed baseball worth?" You thought there was a simple answer. Along with all that was covered above it all comes down to collectors preference, and how much a collector is willing to pay for the item you have. The more displayable the item the more it will be desired, and this will add value. Visit the Single Signed and Team Signed baseball price guides on the website for help in estimating a value for your autograph. If you don't find the player you are looking for you can contact me for help. You could also find a value by searching through the archives of some auction houses, including "Sold Listings" on ebay. (do not use asking prices) You could also do a Google search and include the word auction, or and the name of an auction house. For example "Ted Williams Single signed Baseball Heritage Auctions" (check the image search results as well) Heritage also has an Auction Archive Research section

	KEYMAN COLLECTIBLES RELATED RESOURSES

	AUTOGRAPH SAMPLES AND PRICE GUIDE


	KeyMan Collectibles Collectors Corner - Keep up with the latest collecting news, announcements, and articles of interest on the webs best resource for baseball memorabilia.
	Collectors Showcase - Half the fun of collecting is showing it off to others. Send KeyMan Collectibles pictures of your Memorabilia Room or Display, and get your own Free Collectors Showcase Room.
	KeyMan Collectibles Baseball Memorabilia Facebook Group - Post Questions and comments relating to Baseball Collectibles and Memorabilia. Interact with other collectors or show off your collection.
	KeyMan Collectibles Network54 Forum - A great option for those that "Don't do facebook" Post Questions and comments relating to Baseball Collectibles and Memorabilia