(LOT 136)
1909-11 T206 Ty Cobb Green Portrait Old Mill PSA 3 VG – POP 1; Only One PSA Example Graded Higher!
RARE OLD MILL COBB!!!... Presented here is one of the rarest of all Ty Cobb T206s, a PSA 3 Green Portrait Old Mill subject that is the SOLE example at this eye-pleasing plateau, with only a single PSA 8 specimen graded higher! One of only eight PSA copies listed in ANY GRADE, SGC's census report likewise lists a paltry eight examples, truly substantiating its utmost paucity level. Iconic to say the least, one of the hobby's most hallowed issues is the awe-inspiring T206 Ty Cobb Green Portrait which realizes lofty price tags regardless of its cigarette advertising. All grade levels continue to soar in value, with a PSA 8 NM-MT example realizing a staggering $488,000 price tag in October 2023 and a PSA 7 fetching a record-breaking $147K in Memory Lane's February 2024 Premier Auction. These stratospheric values were for examples sporting standard Sweet Caporal or Piedmont ad-backs, and we cannot even begin to estimate the value for such an elusive Old Mill offering.

Of the four T206 Cobb issues, the most treasured subject has always been his Green Portrait pose portraying Carl Horner's timeless Cobb image, proudly holding a prestigious spot on PSA's Top 250 Sportscards. A momentous tobacco subject to say the least, it proudly shares the spotlight with other hobby baseball icons such as the T206 Wagner/Plank, Ty Cobb with a Cobb ad-back, ‘33 Goudey Lajoie, and ‘52 Topps Mantle. By 1909, the immortal Cobb had already claimed two consecutive AL batting titles, and he would continue this trend for another seven years with his unprecedented nine consecutive batting championships (1907-15) and 12 in a 13-year span being one of our National Pastime's most remarkable records. Tyrus truly ranks as one of baseball's five greatest all-time players, justifying why this ultra-scarce Old Mill tobacco treat merits the highest hobby accolades.

Tantamount to his unparalleled playing prowess is the super visual appeal emanating from this museum-worthy heirloom, boasting a spectacular Carl Horner portrait pose of the fiery batting champion. The iconic Cobb image atypically reveals near-perfect centering, crystal-clear clarity, a brilliant green setting and has miraculously eluded any notable surface creases. Accounting for the grade is even corner wear, with the critical Old Mill verso likewise sidestepping any major blemishes. The legendary image seems to transcend time back to a bygone era when the Georgia Peach ruled America's Pastime in a manner far superior versus his substandard peers, with its unequivocal rarity meriting this quintessential marvel a final resting place in any world-class tobacco collection!

MIN BID $5,000
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