Mickey Mantle-autographed baseballs sell for about $1,000 each. But Mantle-signed balls from his early years can fetch $5,000 because his autograph then was slightly different.
Of course, the key is proving when an item was signed, and that can be tougher than hitting a Roger Clemens fastball.
Well the world of rookie autographs is about to change.
Houston-based Tristar Productions Inc. unveiled two editions of Autothentics in late September: autographed bats and autographed balls. Every autograph in both sets will feature a Tristar hologram, certifying its authenticity, and also a born-on date, which details when and where the autograph was signed.
The bat edition ($129.99 suggested retail) features a limited-edition, signed bat from some of the top minor league players and a few who already have made it to the show, such as Ryan Braun, Joba Chamberlain, Tim Lincecum and Hunter Pence. The 37 players signed anywhere from 2 to 72 bats, and the bat edition also features two five-card packs of Autothentics minor league cards, and every pack contains at least one autograph.
The baseball edition ($99.99) features a limited-edition, signed ball from one of 75 top prospects (and some already rookies in the majors), including Clay Buchholz, Koby Clemens and Evan Longoria. The players signed as many as 72 balls, some as few as two, and those quantities appear on the balls. The baseball edition also includes three packs of Autothentics cards.
There are only 75 baseball cards in the set, and packs are not sold separately.
Both Autothentics editions are available only at hobby shops.
“The value definitely is there in both the bat and the ball editions, even though, sure, there is some speculation” whether or not some players will ever make it to the majors, said Tristar president Jeff Rosenberg. “But collectors nowadays are willing to pay the price for guaranteed autographs for players on the cusp” of greatness.
After all, a player’s rookie card traditionally has been his most sought-after, regardless of how long he plays in the majors. So why not a rookie-year, or before, autograph.
