(LOT 468)
1914 Cracker Jack #30 Ty Cobb PSA 2 Good
COBB!!! Presented here is Ty Cobb's immortal 1914 Cracker Jack #30 specimen in a super eye pleasing PSA 2 holder; arguably presenting aesthetics superior to its rather harsh technical assessment. One of the hobby's most illustrious issues, the unparalleled combination of Ty Cobb's iconic "hands apart" batting image affixed to his hallowed Cracker Jack baseball card has elevated this majestic offering to a pinnacle level amongst elite enthusiasts. In 1914, baseball card collecting was taken to a new level via the ultra-popular thin stock cardboard subjects inserted into boxes of the ultra-popular caramel corn treats. While many distinguished Hall of Famers and stars were included on the extensive laundry list of our National Pastime's early 20th century heroes, none could possibly compare to the immortal reverence of the Tyrus Raymond Cobb #30 subject. Cobb's Cracker Jack issue resides as one of the most coveted cards via his seemingly "timeless" batting image affixed to this sanctified relic.

While meticulous enthusiasts relentlessly pursue the finest 1914 Cracker Jack examples of this world-class collectible, due to the significant caramel corn staining on many 1914 specimens, eye pleasing copies are few and far between. Fortunately, this PSA 2 offered example falls into the category of "superb aesthetics for the grade", and you would be hard-pressed to find another "Good/2" example portraying the awe-inspiring eye appeal of this grandeur gem. Inspiring collectors is the majestic Ty Cobb batting stance, with his "hands apart" pose an imposing "Georgia Peach" trademark sought after by the most sophisticated enthusiasts. You can almost feel the intensity radiating from his stoic expression as Ty prepares to stroke another one of his remarkable 4,189 safeties. It is no secret that Ty Cobb is widely considered one of the finest players who ever graced a baseball diamond. He could hit (his .366 average still reigns supreme), run (he stole 891 bases), throw and field better than any player in the "dead-ball" era (with all due respect to Hans Wagner), with his most amazing achievement his incomparable run of 12 batting titles in 13 seasons including 9 consecutive titles!

No wonder his pre-WWI cardboard remnants are among the premier collectibles in the hobby, with none of his issues achieving the unparalleled stature of an eye pleasing 1914 Cracker Jack that has earned it a final resting place in PSA's "Top 250 Sports Card Hobby Guide". Ty Cobb's presence on this eye pleasing memento is awe inspiring to say the least, with the splendid aesthetics begging the question: "why didn't it achieve "VG" stature"? The fiery Detroit Tiger's remarkable hitting prowess is forever depicted via his sanctified "hands-apart" batting image with the image reflecting fine uniform hues, impeccable clarity, and a rich red background. Even more significant is the atypical near-perfect centering that is rarely seen on any of his 1914 Cracker Jacks. No obtrusive creases are evident on either side, and the corners portray eye pleasing uniform wear. We can only assume that the standard caramel corn staining scattered throughout the card is the primary culprit for the assessment.

Yet, save the stained area near the lower left border directly above "Cobb's" hallowed name, none of the other stains appear to be obtrusive enough to severely hinder the technical grade. Regardless, most would agree that the card's coupled iconic stature and fine aesthetics are far more prevalent than the assigned assessment. For nearly 25 years, Ty Cobb ravaged pitchers with his superior batting skills, substantiating his unquestionable standing as one of baseball's five Hall of Fame 1936 charter members. While many cards of this immortal batsman depict desirable images, most sophisticated hobbyists agree it is his Cracker Jack pose that depicts the quintessential Cobb pose transcending us back to the early 20th century when the "Georgia Peach" dominated our National Pastime at a level superior to any of his peers!?

MIN BID $3,000
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