Pssst! Wanna know who the next president will be?

I suppose the upcoming presidential election is going to cost the federal, state and local coffers hundreds of millions of dollars, and given how tight we are for cash these days, it would be a godsend if we could find a way to save a few bucks along the way.

So naturally I am here to offer help in any way I can. Mastro Auctions has one of its Classic Collector sales slated to end on Oct. 29-30, and included in it are four lots each related to the two presidential candidates. I’m thinking the timing is probably something other than just coincidence.

Three of the four lots match up perfectly for evaluation: PSA 9 single-signed balls (2 lots), and two original paintings by Darryl Vlasak (shown here) of Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain. SCD readers will no doubt remember Vlasak’s spectacular work, which has graced several of our covers over the years, and many of his original paintings have sold in previous major auctions.

So how cool is that? On the morning following the auction’s Oct. 30 close (Halloween. Boo!), there is going to be a clear-cut winner from three decidedly nonpartisan polls. I guess people could quibble about the potential margin for error in such a markedly unscientific poll, but to that I say, Phooey!

About the only thing we have to worry about is a possible split decision, like one painting topping the other, but some differing numbers with the single-signed balls. Naw. It’s going to be a landslide.

And the winner will be ...