All,



Hope you might be able to help me with a long-time piece from my collection. Below is a newspaper clipping which has been affixed to a cardboard backing and postally used. As you can see from the scans, the item is signed by Gehrig, Lazzeri and Dickey. I purchased the piece in the early 1990's from Ron Oser. I have never sent it to any company to be authenticated but wanted to get some opinions on it.



The one question I have relating to this piece is the different pens used. As you may note from the scan below, both Lazzeri and Dickey are signed in a black fountain pen. Gehrig, however, is signed in what appears to be a brown fountain pen - or it is certainly more faded and not as dark.



Any thoughts?

Orser qualifies as good provenance for such an item. He's a well known and respected guy in the hobby.

I don't know anything about the autos, but I do know that if it is left on the cardboard backing the acid from the cardboard will eat away at the paper and eventually destroy the piece.
I suggest removing the cardboard and mounting it with an acid free backing and UV glass. It will last for generations like that. Joe

In Rememberance of James W. Brennan Sr. 1924-1982. Dad, thanks for everything you did for me.

I can't comment yae or nae on the other two, but the Dickey looks good to me. I'm no autograph expert, but one would ordinarily guess that it's good, considering it came from Orser. I'm sure you know he's currently a VP at Mastro.

You guys are referring to Ron Oser, correct?

As far as conservation goes, keep it protected from UV light. Things like this were usually kept in scrapbooks and didn't suffer much from the effects of time. Degradation quickens as it is exposed to air and light. There's little you can do about the acid in the paper. Newsprint is made to be cheap and since it is minimally processed it is highly acidic, it's very likely more acidic than the cardboard it is mounted on. There are conservator's sprays that are used to neutralize acid in documents. You might be able to use it on your piece. However, I'd ask a professional about using it over autographs before you start spraying.

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Thanks for the input so far guys. Yes, I am referring to Oser - my apologies. I unfortunately don't have my paperwork with me rght now but I recall it was purchased in a Ron Oser Enterprises auction. Also, thanks for the tips on conservation. I am unsure, however, how easily the piece would lift off the backing. It is not merely glued down on the corners but rather is firmly affixed. I certainly wouldn't soak the piece, either.

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