1912 T202 Hassan Triple Folder Ty Cobb Steals Third Ty Cobb Signed Card - PSA VG-EX 4 (MK), PSA/DNA MINT 9 - Lot Features Original Mailing Envelope From Ty Cobb - The Only Signed Copy Extant! - "Cooperstown Collection"

It is Goldin Auctions' utmost privilege to present what is arguably considered the finest signed Ty Cobb vintage card, an undisputed "one-of-a-kind" autographed PSA VG-EX 4 (MK) 1912 T202 Hassan Triple Folder boasting a captivating PSA MINT 9 black ink signature on the hallowed Charles Conlon "Cobb sliding into 3rd Base" black and white central image. The sheer existence of this Cooperstown-worthy "unicorn" could immediately prompt the most sophisticated collector to "skip a beat," with its "POP 1" standing and eye-popping aesthetics a dynamic duo truly worthy of the highest hobby accolades. Consider that PSA has only authenticated a mere three other signed T202s for any player (one "F.Baker/J.Barry" and two "W.Dahlen/Z. Wheat" copies) versus the 12,600-plus UNSIGNED T202s flooding their prestigious census report. Most significantly, this scripted Georgia Peach anomaly also includes the original mailing envelope Cobb carefully inserted it in after signing the card for his close friend and Yale graduate George Hittner (with Tyrus including his Menlo Park California return address on the flipside). Indeed, the immortal Cobb signed and mailed this card to Mr. Hittner on June 12, 1940 (see coinciding postal stamp) to accommodate his friend's request for an autograph on this one and only T202 masterpiece. If this unequivocal provenance doesn't whet your appetite enough, consider this time-tested T202 heirloom was originally part of the Pennsylvania native George Sands' amazing tobacco collection that surfaced 31 years ago (1995) at public auction. Along with this resounding T202, the following five signed Ty Cobb cards were likewise offered: T205; T206 Green Portrait; T206 Red Portrait; T206 Bat On Shoulder; T206 Bat Off Shoulder. While we cannot speak to the exact whereabouts of the other five tobacco keepsakes, it is this miraculous T202 offering that proudly stands as the pinnacle autographed Ty Cobb vintage card. Issued during the 1912 campaign, the majestic Cobb was in the midst of one of our National Pastime's most incredible feats, about to claim his sixth consecutive American League batting title—well on his way to an unprecedented nine successive batting championships while placing an indelible stamp on America's favorite pastime.

What makes this scripted gem extra special is its extremely bold black fountain pen autograph that can literally be seen across the room! No doubt, we have never encountered a finer Ty Cobb signature on any of his playing days cards, with this 114-year-old tobacco prize selling for $300,000 over four years ago absent of any PSA card grade—only listed as a "Trading Card" (this 4-MK offering was recently graded by PSA). That said, it is no secret as to the exponential pricing increases for signed vintage cards over that four-year time span. Substantiating that notion are the following stratospheric autographed card sales over the past year: $1.86 million for a 1948 Leaf Jackie Robinson (a 216% increase over the last $588,000 sale for a '48 Leaf Jackie only three years earlier); $1.464 million for a 1933 Goudey #181 Babe Ruth (a 235% growth over the $437,000 price tag for a similar graded '33 Goudey #181 Ruth five-plus years ago); $1.252 million for a 1925 Exhibits Lou Gehrig (a whopping 409% spike over the $246,000 private sale price for the same card approximately five years ago); and $946,000 for the revered 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle (a 258% increase over the $264,000 sale for a comparable graded subject in only 16 months). These extraordinary "comps" and corresponding percentage increases clearly indicate the floodgates have officially opened regarding the unlimited future prosperity for any iconic autographed vintage card, with scripted cardboard issues for baseball's premier immortals knowing no boundaries. The Economics 101 slogan "today's retail is tomorrow's wholesale" certainly applies to this pricing phenomenon, and considering this time-defying Cobb memento is a bona fide unique collectible, it surely boasts similar unlimited investment potential (if not a higher percentage uptick due to its POP 1 stature).

The highly coveted T202 cards continue sufficing as one of the hobby's most electrifying issues, with a black-and-white central image flanked by two T205-like subjects. In this case, Tyrus is situated on the right side while George Moriarty is positioned on the left. Yet, what makes this offering so extra special is the immensely bold black ink PSA MINT 9 "Ty Cobb" script neatly affixed to the iconic Charles Conlon "Cobb Stealing 3rd Base ahead of Jimmy Austin's Tag" action pose. Photography purists surely agree this timeless image stands as one of the most hallowed baseball illustrations—standing right alongside the likewise sanctified Nat Fein "Babe Bows Out" photo. Ironically, the previous lot in this auction just happens to be the finest known Charles Conlon Ty Cobb Type I image (of the two known specimens), with Goldin Auctions providing a remarkable opportunity for the elite enthusiast to capture both the legendary Conlon Cobb photo and the signed T202 Georgia Peach subject. We cannot even begin to imagine a more formidable "one-two" punch than this unparalleled duo, with both offerings presenting themselves in a spectacular visually pleasing state. Portraying solid mid-grade aesthetics, the 1912 T202 has successfully eluded any obtrusive defects, with the classic Ty Cobb central image struck by Conlon revealing superb contrast and clarity. In typical fashion, a few diminutive vertical print lines are evident, none of which compromise the exalted "Ty Cobb" script in the upper left quadrant. A sparkling array of vibrant hues literally brings to life the T205-like Cobb and Moriarty bookend cards, with the two folding areas reflecting some negligible toning/general wear. Accounting for the irrelevant "MK" qualifier are several stray black ink marks on the otherwise relatively clean HASSAN CIGARETTES red text ad back, and it certainly appears these marks are consistent with the ink utilized for the enthralling Ty Cobb signature. In closing, this jaw-dropping wonder effectively checks all the "collector boxes" regarding its incomparable list of superlatives. A unique POP 1 offering; outstanding visual appeal, impeccable provenance dating back to its original June 12, 1940, signing, and most of all, an astonishing PSA 9 signature of the player still considered by many historians to be the greatest of them all. In lieu of the recent tsunami-like pricing surges for superior signed vintage cards, it would be a fruitless exercise to even begin to estimate a precise value. Standing tall as the "best of the best," we are left with no other options than to defer to the esteemed collectors to ultimately determine its seemingly infinite-like true worth!