The ball had originally been presented to former Washington Senators’ manager Mickey Vernon during one of JFK’s opening day first pitch tosses between 1961 and ‘63. The family of the late big leaguer consigned the ball and a number of other items to the auction.

The final bid, including a 15% buyer’s premium, was $26,450.

The ball was personalized to Vernon and had faded a bit over the years.

A game bat signed by Joe DiMaggio and presented to Vernon in the early 1950s, sold for $35,650, the top price among the 800+ items sold by the auction house.

A baseball in superior condition, signed by Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris brought $15,306 while a ball signed by 13 members of the 1930 Yankees including Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, sold for $9200.

While signed baseballs from Kennedy are extremely rare, players like Mantle signed thousands–especially after their playing days ended. Mantle was a regular on the sports card show circuit throughout the mid-1980s to early 90s.

Despite the large number of signed Mickey Mantle baseballs on the market, the demand still outweighs the supply in most cases. Mantle balls are among the most counterfeited, however, so collectors and fans are encouraged to buy only those carrying professional authentication.

Among the items up for bid will be a Hall of Famers Single Signed Baseballs Collection (56) Including Campanella, DiMaggio and Mantle autographed baseballs.

This collection of 56 single signed OAL, ONL, and OML balls each bears either a blue or black ballpoint autograph from a Hall of Fame inductee. The spheres are moderately toned to white examples, with the scriptings averaging “7-9”. Signed baseballs include: Aaron, Campanella, DiMaggio (“HOF 55”), Drysdale, Koufax, Mantle, and Musial. Minimum bid $1,500.

1934 Tour of Japan Vintage Signed Baseball (16 Signatures) Including Ruth, Gehrig, Foxx and Berg. The autographed baseball boasts sixteen black ink “Tour” signatures averaging about “5-8″ in terms of strength and clarity. The ball’s sweet spot is occupied by Babe Ruth (“6″). On other panels are Cascarella (Joe), Frank O’Doul (“7″), Lou Gehrig (“7-8″), Whitehill (Earl), Connie Mack (“7″), Moe Berg (“7″), Rabbit Warstler, Doc Ebling (trainer), John Quinn (umpire), Clint Brown, Eric McNair, Frankie Hayes, Jimmie Foxx (“8″), Lefty Gomez and Earl Averill. Minimum bid $1,000.

1914 New York Giants Team Signed Ball (10 Signatures) Including Mathewson, McGraw and Thorpe. Signature highlights on this unofficial “National League” ball include Christy Mathewson, John McGraw, Jim Thorpe and Chief Myers (signed “J.T. Myers”). All have significant fading, with Mathewson rating “2-3” strength, Myers projecting “2”, and McGraw and Thorpe assessing “1-2”. Most of the other names have faded into obscurity. Finding Mathewson’s signature on a team ball—let alone acquiring the ball—can constitute a lifelong quest for the most ardent collector. Minimum bid $1,000.

• Single-signed baseball
• Team-signed baseball
• “Theme” baseball

The single signed baseball is popular with collectors for its simplicity.  The player signs his name on the ’sweet spot’, the narrow area between the seams.  They’re easy to display, clean and neat with one singular focus.  Many collect autographed balls from Baseball Hall of Famers in this fashion.

The team-signed baseball is a bit more complicated, but somewhat of a rare treasure, especially if you’re looking at one from decades ago.  Team balls are those signed by all members of a certain team.  Collectors of Yankees memorabilia, then, would gravitate toward a certain memorable edition of that club, likely a World Series winner.  World Series championship team-signed balls are among the most valuable in the hobby.  Others favor All-Star team balls or just collect signed balls from every year of their favorite team.  With team-signed baseballs, one must guard against “clubhouse” signatures.  Many times, baseballs would get passed around the lockerroom and the more famous athletes would have a clubhouse attendant or batboy sign their name to the ball because of the tedium involved for a popular player.  It sounds disappointing and it is-but it’s also reality.  Fifty years ago, autographs really didn’t have much monetary value and players who were asked to sign hundreds per day just simply didn’t want to be bothered.  Good autograph authenticators can tell the difference.  PSA/DNA or James Spence Authentications are two good authenticators, but there are others.

Theme balls are fun.  Autographed baseballs can be created by picking a certain milestone or other theme and adding signatures to it when possible.  You can try to collect a baseball signed by pitchers who have won 300 games, pitched no-hitters or perfect games or won Cy Young Awards.  You can chase 500-home run club members, MVPs, batting champions or Rookies of the Year.  Obviously, if your theme includes a deceased player, you’ll have to find a single-signed ball from that player and then add the living players to it.  You could start with a modified theme, however.  Something like “Perfect Game pitchers from the 1980s through today” would probably work.

It’s good practice to check out authentic autographed baseballs on eBayto see what’s availalable and get ideas for building your collection.

The internet has created the opportunity for non-genuine signatures to thrive in the marketplace, but it’s also afforded buyers with a remarkable number of tools to help ensure authenticity.

Purchasing autographs on eBay can be a good experience despite those who will try to scare you into not buying.  You do need to know how to shop for a ball or other autograph however.  Older baseballs that haven’t been authenticated can be real, but you will want to do plenty of research and perhaps employ the services of PSA/DNA’s ‘quick opinion’ service before making a commitment to bid.  For a minimal fee, the company’s experts will examine the signed ball on eBay and render an opinion on whether it’s likely genuine or likely non-genuine.  This way, you’re getting a level of safety.

If you’re in the market for a vintage signed ball, be aware that most dealers won’t sell autographed items that haven’t been authenticated by some of the more highly regarded names in the industry.  EBay only allows a certain number of autograph authentication services to be included among its listings.  PSA/DNA and James Spence Authentication are two of the better services.  If you’re buying with their approval, there is no absolute guarantee the autograph is real, but there is a pretty good likelihood.  The more reputable companies have an extensive database from which to compare and contrast submissions with those already known to be real.  A full authentication letter or opinion should give the buyer a feeling of some comfort.

Of course, some autographed balls aren’t worth enough to have someone authenticate them.  In that case, check the seller’s feedback and see what the provenance of the ball may be.  Chances are, the seller isn’t selling bogus items if he’s not selling items priced at a level that would be worth it to him.  Do your homework and see if you can find online examples of the same ball that are real.

Beware of the hot players whose autographs show up on eBay at low prices.  If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.  Better to commit to a higher price with authentication that to try and find a bargain.

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Shop for autographs on eBay

Babe Ruth autographed baseballs are still the most coveted by collectors and fans despite the fact that the Bambino likely signed hundreds of thousands of autographs over a 40 year-period.  He was besieged everywhere he went and more often than not, he complied.

Ruth was really the first baseball player to be popular enough to have been afforded star treatment by those who wanted a lasting memory in the form of an autograph.

The highest price paid for a Ruth autographed ball was achieved in 2005 when one changed hands privately for $150,000, a tribute to the uncommonly high quality of the baseball and the signature.  The ball was graded 9.5 by PSA/DNA

A PSA 8-graded Babe Ruth autographed baseball, preserved in the original box by a retired dentist who received it as a teenage ballplayer in the 1940s, established a new high for the grade when it sold for $81,075 in 2007.

If you’re lucky enough to own one, however, don’t expect to get that much for it, should you choose to sell.  Likewise, don’t expect to have to pay that much for one if you’d like to add this ‘holy grail’ of baseball autographs to your collection.  Most Ruth signed balls do show signs of age.  A slightly faded signature, a ball that’s been treated with shellack or tossed around in the yard by some 1930s kid or one that contains other autographs is worth much less.  The best Babe Ruth autographed ball to get is a single-signed version that’s been authenticated by one of the more reputable companies in the industry.  You’ll pay a little more, but it’s worth the investment.  And yes, Ruth signed balls can be considered an investment.  They’re not going down in value anytime soon.

The best advice for anyone seeking out a Ruth autograph?  Buy the best you can afford.  It’ll give you more enjoyment and it will be easier to sell for a profit if you choose to do so at a later date.

Keep in mind there are a lot of authentic Ruth autographed baseballs floating around and patience combined with a discerning eye can be the key to owning a ball you’ll be proud to show off without having spent too much.