How Can I Restore Embossing Or Stamping In Leather Of Old Baseball Glove?

[chapmike]

I just finished very gently cleaning a 1930s horsehide baseball glove--before I cleaned it, the player endorsement or embossed stamping read very clearly "Dizzy", with three letters in last name "Dea" visible, and the "n" in "Dean" swallowed up in a crease in the palm;now that palm surface is clean, "Dizzy" is still clear, but the "Dea" in "Dean" is much weaker; I'm a "rookie" with regards to working with this kind of concern; would it possibly help to "soak" the glove leather from the inside out with lanolin, towards (hopefully) bringing back the "Dea"of the glove stamping? Would using a hair dryer help in any way? (I used a recommended baseball glove cleaner containing lanolin with water, and gently daubed at the leather with cotton balls; leather residue did not "flake" or come up; surface of glove is now flat, or dull, with (unfortunately) less of "Dea", than before cleaning; I would welcome suggestions, from those who can offer possible options;thanks for reading! Mike

[WyomingSlick]

I just finished very gently cleaning a 1930s horsehide baseball glove--before I cleaned it, the player endorsement or embossed stamping read very clearly "Dizzy", with three letters in last name "Dea" visible, and the "n" in "Dean" swallowed up in a crease in the palm;now that palm surface is clean, "Dizzy" is still clear, but the "Dea" in "Dean" is much weaker; I'm a "rookie" with regards to working with this kind of concern; would it possibly help to "soak" the glove leather from the inside out with lanolin, towards (hopefully) bringing back the "Dea"of the glove stamping? Would using a hair dryer help in any way? (I used a recommended baseball glove cleaner containing lanolin with water, and gently daubed at the leather with cotton balls; leather residue did not "flake" or come up; surface of glove is now flat, or dull, with (unfortunately) less of "Dea", than before cleaning; I would welcome suggestions, from those who can offer possible options;thanks for reading! Mike

I would suspect that the name was more visible before due to oil, dirt, soil, or possibly paint, in the grooves of the letters. By cleaning the glove you effectively removed the very elements that made the lettering more legible. I inherited a Mel Ott glove some time back which I sold on ebay for a very nice price. Researching collectible ball gloves, I found that like many collectible antiques, collectors prefer that the item not have the patina messed with.

The only thing I can suggest it that you attempt very carefully to darken the letters by using a fine point stylus to emboss the letters to make them darker.

[chapmike]

Thanks for your reply, WyomingSlick; I received another response today that may offer a glimmer of hope;

perhaps I can post photos, as time goes on. I think you have something, in your theory that the dust,

dirt, and grime of 70 plus years, can be more "significant" in the "patina" of an older glove, and

that "less may be more", when it comes to any efforts to condition or restore a glove; thanks again,

it's certainly looking like a few "teaching moments", as we go; (this being said; I would welcome more

imput, from others with experience in this area!) God bless you; I am also looking for a Rogers Hornsby

Lutzke glove, and a Jim Bottomley first base mitt, if anyone has same, or knows of someone looking

to possibly sell or trade.