Masterpieces and Uncommon Commons XXV
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on:
2/12/2010
The distinction between collecting classic art and baseball cards is, at best, a minimal fine line. From an investment perspective, both hobbies provide outstanding investment opportunity as well the simple joy of being the individual that has ‘bought the right to own a copy’! Regarding presentation, there are a handful of cards that also exhibit unique and/or fascinating art in their player designs, providing additional motivation for the serious enthusiast to venture in owning these artistic rarities. With that in mind, no baseball card could ever surpass the brilliant artistic designs and color patterns of the ultra-obscure 1911 M110 Sporting Life Cabinet premiums issued by the Sporting Life News Dealer Co. These pastel colored rarities including only 6 subjects and, arguably, even surpass the aesthetic brilliance included on their contemporary T3 Turkey Red Cabinets. Seldom surfacing in the hobby, their ultra-obscurity is virtually unparalleled, and they, arguably, just might represent the most attractive and exquisite cards ever produced in our treasured hobby (with all due respect to the sheer beauty of the T3 cabinet).
As is the case with most pre-WWI issues, the most valuable and desirable player in this six card set is the immortal Hall of Famer Tyrus Raymond Cobb, and it is his absolutely breathtaking M110 Sporting Life Cabinet that is presented here in an SGC 30/2 holder. Currently SGC and PSA, combined, have only encapsulated 12 of these extraordinary y Cobb specimens (SGC-6; PSA-6). Furthermore, if you thought that capturing a fine Ty Cobb Turkey Red specimen was a tough task, consider that the combined PSA and SGC Ty Cobb Turkey Red total stands at an approximate 100 count, with the 12 Sporting Life Cobb’s representing a paltry 12% of that total! Simply stated, not only does this exquisite Sporting Life Cobb reflect his most astonishing image, its paucity level is “light years” ahead of its Turkey Red competitor. Ty Cobb’s legacy, simply stated, cannot be over emphasized. He is a 1936 charter member of baseball’s Hall of Fame and the distinguished owner of baseball’s highest lifetime batting average (.367). Undeniably, from a cardboard collecting perspective, he ranks with Ruth, Joe Jackson and Wagner as the most highly sought baseball collectible, and his rarities continue to achieve five figures plus.
This supreme offering basically covers every major collecting aspect desired by the elite enthusiast. The picturesque Cobb batting stance is omnipresent in nature, emanating a brilliant array of gray, green and brown pastel colored hues as Cobb triggers back his “godly” bat to smack another one of his legendary base hits. Framing this unequivocal image are borders similar to those utilized for T3’s. The corners, only mildly touched, still retain a significant portion of their original square shape and are consistent with a solid mid-grade example (with the exception of a diminutive crease situated near the lower left corner). While some non-obtrusive surface wrinkles and faint scratches exist, they are barely visible to the naked eye and do not negate the outstanding aesthetics radiating from this renowned masterpiece. The “TY COBB” name printed below his captivating image is flawless, the edging is fine, and the spectacular bold blue Sporting News reverse side advertisement is virtually immaculate. We cannot overemphasize the practically unprecedented radiant eye appeal this ultra-obscure Ty Cobb cabinet generates, far surpassing a technical assessment that certainly appears quite meticulous. Yet, this offering’s scarcity and overwhelming aesthetic appeal minimizes the magnitude of any technical grade. Of foremost significance is that this Cooperstown worthy “Rembrandt”, via its striking pastel tints, is an incomparable cardboard keepsake emitting an almost supernatural tranquility from a by-gone era when the “Georgia Peach” ruled the diamond more proficiently than any of his peers!
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