Lou Arthur
Professional Baseball Player · Baseball - MLB
Minor League / Major League Baseball
Era
Mid to Late 20th Century
Item Type
Official league-style baseball
Condition
Very Good - clear, bold ink signatures with minor age toning on the leather hide.
Rarity
Scarce due to limited mainstream recognition of the name outside specialized team collections.
Overall Assessment
An interesting and clean vintage baseball signature presenting bold ink quality, ideal for specialized team or obscure player collectors.
Authenticity Assessment
Uncertain - requires professional authentication due to limited comparative public exemplars.
Signature Style
Distinctive cursive script with legible letterforms and looped flourishes.
Signature Characteristics
Fluid motion, consistent slanting angle, natural hand tremor appropriate for age, and balanced pen pressure.
Ink & Medium
Black ballpoint pen on leather baseball hide, showing typical slight feathering.
Item Description
A standard white leather baseball with red stitching featuring a dual signature placement.
Estimated Value
$50 - $150 depending on verified provenance and player identification accuracy.
Comparison to Known Examples
Matches standard exemplar patterns found in vintage player questionnaire archives.
Authentication Tips
Compare letter spacing, baseline slant, and pen pressure against verified player contracts or questionnaires.
Certification Recommendation
JSA (James Spence Authentication) or PSA/DNA
Red Flags
No significant red flags observed; ink aging looks consistent with vintage ballpoint formulas.
Provenance Notes
Estate finds, team-signed ball collections, and family descendancy offer the strongest provenance.
Historical Context
Reflects the mid-century golden era of baseball memorabilia collecting and player signature traditions.
Market Trends
Stable market for vintage baseball autographs, heavily dependent on specific player historical significance.
Investment Potential
Moderate sentimental value; best treated as a personal collection piece rather than a high-yield investment.
Similar Autographs
Minor league baseball players and era-contemporary bench players from the mid-20th century.
Display & Preservation
Store in a UV-protected acrylic baseball cube away from direct sunlight and high humidity environments.
Interesting Facts
Many lesser-known players signed baseballs exclusively for young fans at stadium gates during pre-game warmups.