(LOT 195)
1911-16 T216 People's Tobacco Co./Kotton Cigarettes Type 1 (1-2-3 Ad Back) Ty Cobb Standing SGC 1 PR
KOTTON 1-2-3 COBB!!! One of the rarest tobacco issues is the T216 People's Tobacco Co. cards distributed from 1911 through 1916 in New Orleans, Louisiana, with the Peoples Tobacco Company originally founded by Joseph Oury in 1899. Three different cigarette brands were distributed, including Kotton, Mino and Virginia Extra, with the Kotton Cigarettes subjects revealing three different ad back variations, including a Type 1 (1-2-3; cardboard stock; glossy finish); Type 2 (Never Go Out – Not In Trust; cardboard stock; glossy finish); and Type 3 (Never Go Out; thin paper stock; matte finish). Ultra scarce and extremely condition-sensitive, these tobacco cards closely resemble the E106 and D303 sets issued during that same period, with the 104-subject checklist including several player variations. Three different Ty Cobb subjects were issued for all three cigarette advertisements (1. Batting; 2. Standing Detroit Am.; 3. Standing Detroit Americans), with his super scarce SGC 1 glossy Kotton Cigarettes Standing Detroit Americans variation reflecting a 1-2-3 Type 1 Kotton ad back.

Substantiating its condition sensitivity, SGC's census report lists only three of the total 10 graded examples with a higher assessment. Issued during the era when the immortal Cobb would lead the AL in batting virtually every season (except 1916), his iconic Standing (leaning on bat) pose is widely recognized on many other candy and tobacco cards. The stellar aesthetics of this well-centered illustration far surpass its technical grade, highlighted by crystal-clear clarity and a vibrant array of yellow, orange and gray glossy hues. The accurate assessment is due to diagonal creases in each of the upper quadrants, two horizontal wrinkles running directly beneath Cobb's belt, heavy corner wear/layering, serious edge wear/etching, and scattered soiling. The lower border depicts the critical "Cobb, c.f. Detroit Americans" caption (as opposed to "Detroit Am."), with the imposing Georgia Peach central image stealing the show. Most significantly, accompanying the fine central image is a legible ad back boasting the KOTTON CIGARETTES "1-2-3" verbiage (1st. Made in New Orleans - 2nd. Made by Labor Union – 3rd. Has no Equal), with some spotted surface abrasions not compromising the integrity of the historic advertisement. A momentous Ty Cobb offering, its irrefutable paucity level and fine visual appeal combine to place it as one of his most coveted pre-WWI issues extant!

MIN BID $5,000
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