Autographed Mickey Mantle Baseball
Sports Memorabilia / Signed Baseball • Mickey Mantle (American Baseball Legend, 1931-1995)
Style & Movement
Sports Memorabilia / Autograph Art
Medium & Technique
Ink signature on a leather-wrapped regulation baseball with red cotton stitching
Creation Period
Modern Era (likely 1960s-1990s based on the signature style and ball condition)
Dimensions & Format
Spherical; standard Major League Baseball size (approx. 9 inches in circumference / 2.9 inches diameter)
Subject Description
A hand-signed signature by New York Yankees legend Mickey Mantle. The signature is rendered vertically in black ink, featuring his characteristic loop in the 'M' and fluid, cursive execution across the sweet spot or side panel of the ball.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good/Very Good; the signature is legible with moderate fading typical of older ink on leather. The ball shows light toning/yellowing and surface texture consistent with age.
Estimated Market Value
$400 - $1,200 USD (dependent on third-party authentication from PSA/DNA or JSA)
Auction Estimate
$500 - $900 USD
Provenance History
Likely acquired via an in-person signing event, fan mail, or a private collection. Lack of visible authentication stamps suggests a private acquisition history.
Art Historical Significance
Mickey Mantle is one of the most culturally significant athletes of the 20th century. His signature represents a high-value category within the hobby of philography and the history of American sports culture.
Notable Features
The signature shows the classic 'long' M style. The vertical orientation relative to the stitching suggests it may have been signed while the ball was held by a fan rather than at a pre-arranged signing table.
Condition Issues
Visible ink bleeding and fading (bleeding into leather grains), minor scuffing on the leather hide, and general oxidation of the white leather surface (toning).
Conservation Recommendations
Store in a UV-protected acrylic display cube. Keep in a climate-controlled environment away from direct sunlight to prevent further ink fading and leather cracking.