Like the Joe DiMaggio baseball offered elsewhere in this auction, the baseballs in this lot all bear incredible hand-painted likenesses of a major star or Hall of Fame player, by unknown artist “ES” and dated ’91 to ’95. All balls are OAL or ONL balls, absolutely unused and showing minor spots of toning at worst, and all but two are autographed by the featured player. Babe Ruth and Roger Maris are the only non-autographed orbs, while Reggie Jackson, Ed Mathews, Willie McCovey, Carl Yastrzemski, Hank Aaron, Yogi Berra, Phil Rizzuto, Willie Mays and Nolan Ryan have all penned their signatures on the sweet spot, above the iconic portrait. All signatures are in blue ball point, and rate 7 to 8 in terms of strength. Eclectic and unique, this lot is sure to please the lucky winning bidder.
***ADDENDUM**** The previously unknown artist has now been identified as renowned artist Erwin Sadler, who is well-known throughout the hobby for his remarkable skills and talent in painting baseballs by hand.