This baseball (along with Lots 35 & 36) comes with a backstory that is almost too good to be true. In June 1933, a collector wrote a letter to Ty Cobb seeking his autograph on three special baseballs — two already signed by Yankees legends Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Tony Lazzeri in the mid 1920's and another having been signed by Walter Johnson, Tris Speaker and others around that time. The Georgia Peach responded with two handwritten letters in December 1934 and graciously signed his name to all three baseballs. The 1st Cobb letter (Lot 33) agreed to comply and explained why there was such a long delay (outdated address). The collector (whose father-in-law founded Gilbert Chocolates in 1900, a popular chain of candy stores throughout the Midwest) then mailed the three baseballs to Cobb and enticed him with some Gilbert Chocolates candy. Cobb signed each ball and returned them with a 2nd letter (Lot 32) that thanked him for the candy and offered advice on how to preserve the signatures using Shellac. The collector took Cobb's advice and now, over 80 years later, his grandson has decided to consign the three multi-signed balls to this auction. Known for being brash and outspoken, Ty Cobb showed a rare thoughtful side to his personality with this gesture. Perhaps the history books need to add "sweet tooth", "memorabilia preservation expert" and "not such a bad guy after all" to his bio.
This particular OAL (Ban Johnson, AL president 1901-1927) baseball holds eight signatures, all in varying grades of blue pen. Tris Speaker has signed on the sweet spot in 7/10 boldness. Above right on that panel is Walter "Big Train" Johnson's striking autograph, which also rates a 7 in our book. Fellow Hall of Famers Harry Heilmann (aka "The Slug") and Bucky Harris have signed on the other side of that main panel, one on top of the other. Understandably, Ty Cobb's autograph is the boldest of the group as it was he who apparently signed last and convinced the collector to coat the ball in Shellac. Cobb rates 8-9/10 in our opinion and sits next to the signature of George Hildebrand (AL umpire 1913-34). Finally, Hall of Fame left-handed slugger Goose Goslin and first baseman Lu Blue (who typically signed his first name "Lou") have added their names below and above the Bancroft Johnson stamp. Speaker, Johnson, Goslin and Harris were teammates on the 1927 Washington Senators; Cobb, Heilmann and Blue coincided on the Detroit Tigers 1921-26. The heavy Shellac coating gives the ball a creamy white color and has thoroughly protected it from scuffing and toning in the 80+ years of its existence. Most importantly, it has remarkably preserved the bold signatures of several of the finest ball players in the earliest 20th century. Rarely will you find such immaculate provenance with a ball of this caliber; Cobb's two handwritten letters essentially serve as letters of authenticity!
Includes a detailed Letter of Provenance from John Wickwire, grandson of J.S. Wickwire who wrote to Ty Cobb in 1933 and originally sourced the letters and baseballs. Copies of both Cobb handwritten letters (Lots 32 & 33) are also included.
Full LOA from PSA.