Baseball Hall of Famer Ty Cobb, beyond his on-the-field accomplishments during the course of his prolific career from 1905 to 1928, also liked to donate his time to help up-and-coming ballplayers. In fact, this lot features two vintage black-and-white photographs, one 8” x 10” and one 5” x 7” picture, when Cobb was instructing and signing autographs for campers on July 15, 1952, at the Ozark Baseball Camp in Darien, Missouri.
In addition, this lot boasts a Spalding Official League baseball that Cobb signed in blue ink and added the inscription “7/15/52” to remember the date. The baseball also has five other autographs on it also in blue ink including those of Camp Director Carl Bolin [C.E. Bolin], along with two campers (Elmer Jacobs and Goldie Howard), Mike Farley, and one illegible name. Lastly, a piece of Ozark Baseball Camp stationary is included, also signed by Ty Cobb. The page measures five inches wide by 6” high. In Bolin's 1954 book "Baseball Fundamentals" (pg. 4), he mentions the importance of Cobb's visit to his camp that year and the inspiration he gave to those young ballplayers. One of those players in attendance was David Brown, who would go on to play outfield in the Detroit Tigers minor league system from 1960-62.
Includes notarized letter from David Brown attesting to his memorable encounter with Cobb at the camp.
Full LOA from PSA/DNA (#T04247).