This baseball (along with Lots 34 & 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 The 1st Cobb letter (Lot 33) agreed to comply and explained why there was such a long delay (outdated address).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 antique OAL (Ban Johnson, AL president 1901-1927) baseball is the top dog of the three from this incredible story. Babe Ruth's autograph on the sweet spot shines in bold 7-8/10 blue pen. He has even added quotations around "Babe" indicating he signed the ball in the prime of his career. Just below Ruth, alone on a panel, is Lou Gehrig's signature in 7 blue pen with his first name faded slightly. Tony Lazzeri has signed his name nicely in blue just above the Bancroft Johnson stamp, his first name slightly faded as well. Understandably, Ty Cobb's autograph is the boldest 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 is located on its own panel below the "Warranted The Cushion Cork Center 9 IN. 5 OZ." label. 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 arguably the three greatest ballplayers ever (no offense, Tony). 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.