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Sports memorabilia

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December 30, 2025, 07:24 AM
400m
Sports memorabilia
Where do you like to buy autographed baseballs/sports memorabilia that you trust are authentic. I understand anything with a PSA letter is pretty safe.

If anyone knows of a mom & pop store in the far west Chicago suburbs that has a nice selection of baseballs please share.

Edit: What are your favorite autographed balls and which ones would you like to get? Retired or active.
December 30, 2025, 07:33 AM
ChuckFinley
I'm only certain if they sign it in front of me, or, next best, if bought from the team organization itself.




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December 30, 2025, 08:48 AM
220-9er
These are listed as the higher end auction houses and most likely reliable, FWIW.

Heritage Auctions, Goldin Auctions, and Robert Edward Auctions.


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Avoid buying ChiCom/CCP products whenever possible.
December 30, 2025, 09:03 AM
ArtieS
I had an acquaintance some 30 years ago who had a baseball signed by every member of the 1969 Miracle Mets.

Her mother had been a Mets employee and the ball was given to mom by the team.



"I vowed to myself to fight against evil more completely and more wholeheartedly than I ever did before. . . . That’s the only way to pay back part of that vast debt, to live up to and try to fulfill that tremendous obligation."

Alfred Hornik, Sunday, December 2, 1945 to his family, on his continuing duty to others for surviving WW II.
December 30, 2025, 01:47 PM
400m
Mets? Whoa whoa slow down fellas. I’m a Cubs fan!
My dad left for his honeymoon early September ‘69 when the Cubs were in first place. When he got back home… it wasn’t good. Mom said he was an absolute grouch. So you can just keep your Tom Seaver autograph stories to yourself! Big Grin
(Maybe I’ll let it slide if you send me a Seaver autographed ball) Wink
December 30, 2025, 02:52 PM
Suppressed
I have a ball signed by Al Kaline. My father was his parents' physician and they gave one to me and my siblings.
December 30, 2025, 03:02 PM
abnmacv
My sport is shooting, my Sig 239 is my memorabilia.


U.S. Army 11F4P Vietnam 69-70 NRA Life Member
December 30, 2025, 07:34 PM
armored
Years ago I gave my Father a baseball plate that was signed by Ernie Banks and authenticated. It has his autograph and a total of his career home-runs.
After my Father passed I wrapped it in plastic and put it in my gun safe. I suppose I will eventually give it to my Son If I'm convinced it will not get destroyed by his 4 small kids.
December 30, 2025, 07:42 PM
old rugged cross
^^^^^ Not an expert by any means. But depending more on specifics a signed Ernie banks plate has to worth some big bucks.



"Practice like you want to play in the game"
December 30, 2025, 07:47 PM
Schmelby
I only have three baseballs, Ozzy Smith, Tony Gwynn, and Barry Larkin signed '95 NL MVP.
I do have a football signed by Franco Harris and a basketball signed by Oscar Robertson, a bat signed by Johnny Bench.
I had a puck signed by Gordie Howe I gave to a member here! Smile
December 30, 2025, 07:59 PM
old rugged cross
That is a great collection. Oscar Robertson. That was the golden era for the nba. How far it has fallen.



"Practice like you want to play in the game"
December 30, 2025, 09:22 PM
400m
I have baseballs signed by Ryan Dempster, Ryne Sandberg, Jon Garland, and Chipper Jones. There are a lot that I would like to add (achievable for me I’m talking not Cobb, Mantle, or Gherig). Pete Rose and Nolan Ryan would be nice. For me, Ty Cobb and Hank Aaron would be the ultimate.

If you want to see a really neat collection, look up Geddy Lee’s (bass player from Rush) collection. It’s impressive.
December 30, 2025, 09:46 PM
Schmelby
I have about 15 diecast Nascar cars from the 90's to 2000's all signed by the drivers on the hood or top of the car. Dale Sr and Jr, Labonte, Chad Little, Bill Elliot, Ricky Rudd, Waltrip, Jarrett, Burton, Spencer, A small hood signed by Harvick.
I would Karma them all away but I gave them to my son a year ago. He has shelf space in his Mcmansion.
And I have the best of all , Richard Petty!
December 30, 2025, 10:26 PM
cas
This is the only autographed baseball card I have, possibly the only autograph I have?



Sent it in to "Viewer Mail" some time in the 80's as a joke. Don't know if it was used in a on air segment or not, but I asked to have it autographed as part of the joke, and that's how I got it back.



ETA: Nope, somewhere I have Brooks Robinson's autograph on some Orioles related pamphlet that I don't know where it would have come from. Got it a Cooperstown induction, so I'm guessing '83 because I have no idea where I would have gotten the thing he signed otherwise. Back in those days you could line the entrance where the cars/limos dropped them off and most would sign autographs on their way in. (this was where I sort of helped get Roy Campanella's wheelchair out of the truck of a car. (not really, I just moved some stuff out of the way so his driver had room to put it down and unfold it)
December 31, 2025, 10:09 AM
Pizza Bob
Here is a Sports Memorabilia shop in Lahaska, PA that is owned and run by Austin Behlert's son Frank.

https://www.coltscollectibles.com/

There is a search function on the home page. The store is named for Frank's son Colt.

Adios,

Pizza Bob


NRA Benefactor Member
December 31, 2025, 11:13 AM
Black92LX
Depends.
Who are you looking for? I have sent a number of cards directly to the player with some money and get them back.
All my other stuff I have bought directly from the Reds or Bengals official memorabilia shops.


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December 31, 2025, 01:13 PM
400m
Nolan Ryan was at the top of my list 92.
December 31, 2025, 01:48 PM
Hamden106
I gave my Nolan Ryan ball to my nephew earlier this year.

If the return address is the White House in the last few years, be suspicious.

I have several balls signed and from I believe reputable sources. My Koufax ball signature looks just like every on line example. The only in person balls I have are Feller and Doerr.

The others are Lasorda, Snider, Drysdale.
Also Bob Gibson, Stan the Man, Steve Carlton, and that Hillsboro team ball the a SF member back east ID'd some years ago.

Also have every Koufax and Drysdale cards

My favorite item is my bat purchased years ~65 years ago. The Nelson Fox model Louisville Slugger. It gave me a lot of hits.



SIGnature
NRA Benefactor CMP Pistol Distinguished
December 31, 2025, 01:48 PM
honestlou
I have several basketballs signed by Shaq, including what I think is the first NBA ball he ever signed. We did some car audio work for him when he was at LSU, and for a number of years after that.

When he came around the shop people would get balls for him to sign. He came by once right after he was drafted, and I bought an official NBA ball for about $100. He signed it, but with his LSU #, and I have several photos of him with my son, who was about 1 at the time.

I also have a dress shoe of his, but didn’t get it signed.
December 31, 2025, 02:03 PM
Hamden106
My son is a nut with a lot of Trailblazer stuff and also Chicago Bulls stuff



SIGnature
NRA Benefactor CMP Pistol Distinguished