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Lot # 1356: Ty Cobb Signed Major League Debut Photograph from His Personal Collection - Detailed Letter on Reverse (PSA MINT 9)

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Presented is a terrific opportunity to possess a Ty Cobb offering consisting of three unusual, and compelling, Cobb items: 1) A signed and inscribed photograph that shows "the Georgia Peach" on the Detroit Tigers bench just minutes before his Major League debut on August 30, 1905; 2) A detailed Cobb-signed note written on the back of the photograph to a Reverend Gerdau that is a great behind-the-scenes glimpse into the minutes just before Cobb's Major League debut; 3) A handwritten mailing envelope, addressed to the aforementioned Reverend Gerdau, containing Cobb's signature above the return address. Cobb would go on to play 24 Major League seasons: Detroit Tigers (1905-26), Philadelphia Athletics (1907-08). The Inaugural Hall of Fame selection was a center fielder who had great natural skills, along with a superior intellect and a raging desire to succeed. Cobb was a left-handed batter with an unusual "spread" batting grip in which his hands were usually about four inches apart, which gave him wonderful bat control. At his retirement as a player, Cobb held numerous Major League records, including those for both hits (4,189) and stolen bases (897), both later surpassed. Cobb's career batting average of .366 remains the highest in Major League history, and he batted over .400 in three seasons. The offered photo measures 7.8x9.8". Cobb signed and inscribed the photo on the front, using his "trademarked" fountain, green ink. Under his signature, "Tyrus Cobb," the Tigers great has inscribed the date in which he signed this piece, 4/18/60, a little over one year before his death. Cobb is seated next to Bill Armour, in civilian clothes, the Detroit manager. On the photo back, Cobb, again using his "patented" green fountain ink, has inscribed and signed an incredible note, forthright and greatly revealing in its detailed candor: "Rev.: - Here is a reprint, best I can do, per many demands. I have other reprints but thought this would be a little unusual for only a very few of these are held by anyone. This is about five minutes before my first game of Major League [sic], in Detroit, August 1905. My manager then was Tom Armour. and he is telling me to go out there and be calm and not over awed [sic] by stands or crowd. New York Highlanders then. Chesbro, a great spitball pitcher, first time at bat, two bases, a help from above I feel even now. Luck also. I was 18 years of age. Ty Cobb." Spitballs were legal at that time, and Chesbro had won 41 games in the year before. Cobb's double drove in a run and helped the Tigers to a 5-3 win at Bennett Park, before only 1,200 fans. Thus, the photo is signed twice by Cobb, on front and on back, and the photo and note on back have been encapsulated and Cobb's double signatures have a PSA/DNA Certified Auto Grade of MINT 9. The aforementioned manila envelope, stamped, postmarked, and in nice condition, measuring 9x12", comes with a PSA/DNA Letter of Grading and Authenticity (Cert. Number 03164) that grades the signed envelope as an Autograph Grade of 9. From Cobb's personal message, we can see that this offering came from Cobb and his personal collection. The offered image is very rare in itself, but then surpasses rarity and becomes UNIQUE, a treasure with the personal connections to Cobb.

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