(LOT 74)
1912 T227 Ty Cobb – Miners Extra PSA 3 VG
Of all the Ty Cobb pre-WWII cards sought-after by avid vintage collectors, arguably none provide a more aesthetically brilliant portrayal of the "Georgia Peach" than his representation on the ultra-desirable T227 "Series of 8 - Champions" issue. In 1912, the "Honest Long Cut" and "Miners Extra" tobacco brands included a single card representing one of the era's prominent sports stars. The "Series of Champions" 25 subject checklist included sports personalities from baseball, billiards, car racing, swimming, wrestling, golf, horse racing, etc. Four separate baseball players were issued including Ty Cobb, Chief Bender, Frank Baker and Rube Marquard, with ALL FOUR presented in this auction (as well as boxing legend Jack Johnson). Unquestionably, the Cobb subject is the most valuable of the 25 athletes, standing as one of the most popular "Georgia Peach" pre-war cards due to its imposing batting image. Extremely condition sensitive, most of the remaining oversized T227 cardboard specimens are found in low-grade condition with mid-grade examples near impossible to come by. With that in mind, presented here just happens to be a T227 Honest Long Cut Ty Cobb example residing in a stellar PSA VG 3 holder. Justifying the previously mentioned condition sensitivity is PSA's illustrious "Pop" Chart listing 89 T227 Ty Cobb's, with nearly 75% of them reflecting lesser grades than this seldom surfacing VG 3 scarcity.

Due to Cobb's revered stature, esteemed enthusiasts actively pursue his ultra-obscure cardboard collectibles. Cobb's incomparable batting achievements include the highest lifetime batting average (.366), a 1909 Triple Crown season, three .400 or better batting averages and 12 seasons in which he led the American League in batting (including nine consecutive seasons from 1907 – 1915!). He is unquestionably one of baseball's greatest all-time five tool players since he could hit for average and power (when he so desired), field, run and throw as well if not better than any of his dead-ball era peers. The presented copy arguably portrays the most popular Ty Cobb image affixed to any pre-war Cobb artifact, with his majestic batting image encompassing a majority of the frame. Atypical for this example is the near-perfect registration and bright, almost radiant like, yellow background that normally presents itself in a dreary manner. The relatively clean white borders atypically reveal no serious soiling, and remarkably, no major creases are evident. Moderate corner wear consistent with the grade, fine mid-grade corners, superb side-to-side centering (the image does favor the upper edge), and a super clean verso including the obscure Miners Extra advertisement complete this 109-year-old masterpiece that has relatively defied "father-time". To reiterate, the T227 Cobb seldom surfaces in super eye pleasing fashion, substantiating why this aesthetically brilliant offering would immediately enhance any Georgia Peach cardboard compilation!

MIN BID $2,500
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