Rare Ty Cobb Rookie Card with Handwritten Message Goes to Auction

• Posted: July 18, 2024, 3:49 am
• in Sports Card News
• by bionic

* We may earn a commission from purchases made through our affiliate links.

A remarkable Ty Cobb rookie card, featuring a handwritten and signed message from the baseball legend, is set to capture the attention of collectors at an upcoming auction. This 1907 Seamless Steel Tubes Post Card is one of the most significant Cobb artifacts ever made available to the public.

Dating back to the early days of Cobb’s storied career, this postcard captures the 21-year-old Georgian at the outset of his dominance in Major League Baseball. Cobb made his debut in the late summer of 1905 and entered the 1907 season with a respectable .293 career batting average. By the end of that year, he had cemented his status as one of the sport’s greatest players, a fact celebrated by this postcard, which proclaims him "the greatest ball player of the year in America."

The postcard is a rare collectible in its own right. It is one of only three known examples of the 1907 Seamless Steel Tubes Cobb rookie card presented by Heritage Auctions, with fewer than five known to exist. The set’s sponsor, a Detroit factory known for producing exhaust systems for steam locomotives, adds an unusual and intriguing aspect to its history, contrasting with the era’s typically tobacco-sponsored baseball cards.

What makes this postcard truly extraordinary is the handwritten message from Cobb. Addressed to a former teammate from the 1905 Augusta (GA) Tourists, the message is postmarked from Chicago on October 7, 1907, just one day before the Detroit Tigers faced the Chicago Cubs in the World Series. In his note, Cobb reflects on his season’s successes and expresses his anticipation for the upcoming series:

"Well, we have won the pennant and here for world series. I led in hitting, stolen bases 60, assists, and second 100 runs, hit 355 unofficially - hope you lots of luck, will be glad to hear at any time. Royston GA., have an offer to go with all-Americans out to California. Excuse this advertising card."

Cobb’s signature, simply "Ty," along with the message, is written in bold black fountain pen ink and remains strikingly clear even after more than a century. The card, authenticated and encapsulated by PSA/DNA, shows wear from mailing and long-term storage, but these imperfections are overshadowed by the item’s rarity and historical importance.

Estimated to fetch $150,000 or more, this Ty Cobb rookie card offers collectors a unique opportunity to own a piece of baseball history, blending personal narrative with the achievements of one of the game’s greatest players.

Bid Here