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Lot # 891: Rare 1908 Detroit Tigers Team Silk with Ty Cobb

Starting Bid: $1,000.00

Bids: 5 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "2023 Fall Classic",
which ran from 10/29/2023 7:00 PM to
11/18/2023 10:00 PM



This exceptionally rare silk features images of the 1908 American League Champions, the Detroit Tigers. Measuring 16.125x16.75", it has been made into a pillowcase with one side, in yellow and coffee hues, showing four roaring tigers surrounding the team, highlighted by Ty Cobb and including players such as, Mullin, Donovan, Summers, Winter, Killian, O'Leary, Jennings, Bush, Coughlin, Schaefer, Schmidt, and Rossman. Cleverly formed, the head shots are placed on a background of an Official American League ball, with the "stamp" peeking out between images, which were taken by local Detroit photographer Fred Wright. Also reads, "All Photographs Copyrighted 1908 by Fred G. Wright, Detroit, Mich." Along with cards, silks were used as an insert to incentivize purchase of tobacco products, with the smaller silk squares generally featuring individual players, which could then be sewn into garments such as a scarf or quilt. Larger versions such as these were available by mail order, thus increasing the scarcity. This was made into a pillowcase and has stuffing inside - if so desired, the stuffing could easily be removed and the silk could be displayed flat or framed. A few minor stains are present from bleeding of the yellow material used on the fringes but otherwise remarkable condition for the age with no rips or tears. Managed by Hall of Famer Hughie Jennings and led by the immortal Cobb, the '08 Tigers captured the American League pennant before falling to the Chicago Cubs in the World Series.

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