(LOT 205)
"Unique for the Grade" - T206 Ty Cobb Red Portrait Sovereign 350 (PSA EX/MT 6) – " 1 of 1"; Highest Graded Example for ALL Sovereign Subjects!
Aside from the T206 Honus Wagner, no pre-war baseball card could possibly boast the popularity and renowned stature of the iconic T206 Red Portrait Ty Cobb depicting his sanctified Carl Horner portrait pose. While there is certainly not a shortage of this "super print" card, there are a number of scant issues carrying seldom surfacing cigarette ad backs. One such type rarity includes the ultra-elusive "Sovereign 350" advertisement, and presented here just happens to be the pinnacle T206 Cobb Red Portrait Sovereign 350 in a spectacular PSA EX/MT 6 holder. Indeed, and synonymous with Cobb's unparalleled batting prowess, this museum worthy Cobb offering just happens to stand tall as the SOLE and HIGHEST GRADED Red Portrait Sovereign Cobb on the illustrious PSA "pop" chart, including ALL 150, 350 and 460 subject examples!

As meticulous tobacco enthusiasts are surely aware of, Sovereign T206 subjects are significantly more obscure than the abundant Piedmont or Sweet Caporal Cigarette issues, substantiated by PSA's census report indicating of the 1,436 PSA encapsulated T206 Red Portrait Cobb's w/identified ad backs (at the time this was written), a mere 45 specimens or 3% include a Sovereign designation (150, 350 or 460 Subjects). Thus, what this "1 of 1" miraculous offering truly provides the elite collector is the quintessential turn of the 20th century player portraying his classic portrait pose while carrying a rather scarce cigarette ad back. If that isn't enough to "wet your appetite", it reigns supreme as the singular "best of the rest" Sovereign Cobb on the PSA population report, with its sheer existence bound to provide the winning bidder incomparable bragging rights for years to come.

The advent of the "Georgia Peach's" immense popularity can be traced back to the Detroit Tigers in 1905, when he played in a mere 41 games while hitting a paltry .240. Quickly, Cobb bounced back in 1906 to bat an impressive .316, the first of an unfathomable 23 consecutive years of exceeding the exalted .300 benchmark. Throughout his incomparable 24 seasons, he led the American League a record 12 years in batting average including an incredible 9 consecutive years from 1907 thru 1915. He also happened to exceed the regal .400 mark three times, with all of the above totaling to his incredible .366 lifetime batting average. Due to his newly found star status, in 1907 manufacturers began utilizing his image on various cardboard related products, paving the way for his treasured T206 tobacco subjects first issued in 1909. His final career numbers surely justify his hallowed stature including 4,189 safeties, 897 stolen bases, 1,944 R.B.I.'s and a whopping .944 OPS.

His elite standing as one of baseball's greatest all-time players has rightfully earned him premier status among the finest cardboard enthusiasts, justifying why this "finest of its kind" Sovereign Cigarette gem will immediately become a centerpiece attraction in any world-class T206 gathering. An outstanding PSA "EX/MT-6" example, its breathtaking image reveals near-perfect resolution and a strikingly bold red background, with Cobb's hallowed facial pose reflecting ultra-rich hues. The illustration partly favors the upper left edges between four relatively clean white borders, with only the upper left corner revealing some diminutive toning. No glaring flaws are evident on either side, and the critical "SOVEREGN CIGARETTES FIT FOR A KING 350 SUBJECTS" ad back is affixed to a rather clean surface, revealing fine all-around centering.

Keep in mind that any T206 Red Portrait Cobb is worthy of a secure place in the most esteemed tobacco collections due to this issue's unquestionable status as one of the hobby's "Top 10" cardboard subjects, with that notion well documented in PSA's renowned "Top 250 Sportscards" publication. It is no secret that the immortal Cobb was our National Pastime's premier pre-WW1 player, with his exalted T206 portrait subject representing the sheer essence of the vintage baseball card hobby. In lieu of the stratospheric price-tags being realized by any obscure and/or highest graded T206 Hall of Famers (let alone Tyrus Raymond Cobb), we cannot even begin to estimate the unbridled value of this majestic "1 of 1" masterpiece that via its stand-alone pinnacle assessment and immense paucity level is truly worthy of the highest hobby accolades!

MIN BID $4,000
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