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Signed 1907 Detroit Seamless Steel Tubes Postcard Ty Cobb Rookie with Incredible Baseball Content - PSA/DNA
Sold For:
$93,000
Year: 1907
Auction: 2021 Spring
Lot #: 6
Auction: Featured
Presented is one of the most extraordinary prewar cards we've ever had the privilege of offering: an incredibly rare 1907 Detroit Seamless Steel Tubes rookie postcard of Ty Cobb that bears a handwritten message and signature from Cobb himself surrounding his image. This card represents one of Cobb's true rookie cards, and from within that pool of qualifying rookie cards, it remains one of his rarest. To date, only seven examples have been authenticated by PSA and SGC combined. (SGC has certified six, while the offered example is the only one reviewed by PSA.) This is the only signed example, and it is one of the earliest signed Cobb cards we know to exist. Postmarked from Chicago on October 7, 1907, a time during which Cobb and the Tigers were in town for World Series play, the postcard is addressed to Tom Bird of Everett, Washington. Interestingly, Cobb was teammates with a ballplayer by the name of Tom Bird with the Augusta Tourists during the 1905 season. It is possible that this postcard is addressed and intended for an old teammate with whom Cobb kept a close friendship. The content of the postcard is especially incredible and full of superb baseball dialogue. It reads, in full: Well we have won the pennant and here for worlds series. I led in hitting stolen bases 60 assists and second 100 runs hit 355 unofficially - hope you lots of luck will be glad to hear at any time Royston Ga have an offer to go with all-americans out to California. excuse this advertising card." The message is punctuated by a neatly written "-Ty-" at the end and positioned perfectly in an open space between Cobb's bat and leg.
While the condition of the card is secondary to its remarkable content and early Cobb signature, the postcard remains extremely presentable despite several condition flaws, including moderate to heavy creasing and light wear at the corners. A heavy bleed through of the postal cancellation is present to the right of Cobb's imagine, which is largely free of any issues. The caption below Cobb’s image reads; Tyrus Cobb, Of Royston, Georgia, - Age 21, Member of the Detroit Base Ball Team, and the greatest ball player of the year in America. - From Detroit Seamless Steel Tubes Co. - Detroit, Mich. - Makers of the Famous – ‘Detroit’ Locomotive Flue. The reverse is addressed, with postal stampings and a few small areas of unobtrusive paper loss. This is only the second example of this exceptionally rare postcard that we have ever offered, and we cannot imagine a more significant and special example to own! A remarkable surviving signed example of one of Cobb's most elusive early cards and one that qualifies as one of his true rookie cards. Encapsulated by PSA/DNA as Authentic. Reserve $25,000. Estimate (open).
While the condition of the card is secondary to its remarkable content and early Cobb signature, the postcard remains extremely presentable despite several condition flaws, including moderate to heavy creasing and light wear at the corners. A heavy bleed through of the postal cancellation is present to the right of Cobb's imagine, which is largely free of any issues. The caption below Cobb’s image reads; Tyrus Cobb, Of Royston, Georgia, - Age 21, Member of the Detroit Base Ball Team, and the greatest ball player of the year in America. - From Detroit Seamless Steel Tubes Co. - Detroit, Mich. - Makers of the Famous – ‘Detroit’ Locomotive Flue. The reverse is addressed, with postal stampings and a few small areas of unobtrusive paper loss. This is only the second example of this exceptionally rare postcard that we have ever offered, and we cannot imagine a more significant and special example to own! A remarkable surviving signed example of one of Cobb's most elusive early cards and one that qualifies as one of his true rookie cards. Encapsulated by PSA/DNA as Authentic. Reserve $25,000. Estimate (open).