This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on:
7/30/2010
One of the scarcest tobacco related cardboard artifacts are undoubtedly the “T5” Pinkerton Cabinets issued in 1911. With a real time silver gelatin photo affixed to a cardboard mount, Pinkerton’s are consider “true” cabinet cards from that popular bygone era. Pinkerton was the parent company for Red Man and other tobacco products, and offered the cabinets in exchange for what is believed to be 10 different coupons found in cigarette packs. Advertising sheets from that era indicate that 376 different photographs were available from the 16 Major League teams and various minor league organizations, but hobbyists speculate this number could conceivably surpass 500 specimens. Most of the photos measure approximately 3-3/8” x 5-1/2” with the thick cardboard mounts measuring some 4-3/4” x 7-3/4; however, sizes do tend to vary.
One of the many outstanding attributes of this issue is that it includes ALL of the period’s baseball stars including Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner, Christy Mathewson, Joe Jackson, Napoleon Lajoie, Eddie Plank, Tris Speaker, Walter Johnson, Cy Young, Addie Joss, etc., just to mention a few. Atypical with baseball card sets from that era, virtually all of the tobacco and candy card issues excluded various groups of stars such as Hans Wagner being excluded from most tobacco sets; Walter Johnson inexplicably excluded from many of the candy/”E” card sets; the T204 Ramly issues excluding players such as Cobb, Mathewson, Speaker and Lajoie; Joe Jackson missing the cut for the T206 “Monster Set”….the list goes on and on. Unfortunately for T5 Pinkerton collectors, their significant paucity level creates a virtually impossible scenario to assemble all of the known subjects, substantiating why one of the more reasonable T5 collecting angles is to simply focus on the star players.
Earlier this year, an astounding estate find was sold at an auction, with 49 different T5 Pinkerton players available including many of the aforementioned stars (Jackson, Wagner, Mathewson, Joss, Young, etc.). Interestingly, the game’s greatest Hall of Famer from that by gone era was NOT included in the lot, the incomparable Tyrus Raymond Cobb. Furthermore, the handful of Cobb T5 Pinkerton’s that we have seen over the years portrays the majestic Tigers star in a batting stance, not the “glove up” fielding position which appears to be a far scarcer variation. Currently, SGC’s census report indicates that 6 Cobb “batting stance” Pinkerton Cabinets have been encapsulated (subject#159) with only a single “fielding” image listed (subject#170). PSA’s “pop” chart lists only one Ty Cobb T5 but doesn’t distinguish between the “batting” or “fielding” pose. With that in mind, presented here is that ONLY SGC graded Ty Cobb “fielding pose” T5 cabinet in an outstanding “Authentic” holder”!
True, utilizing the term “outstanding” for a cardboard specimen technically assessed as “Authentic” certainly sounds like a contradictory statement. However, in this case, “outstanding” may actually be an understatement! First and foremost, Pinkerton cabinet photos were factory mounted to the thick cardboard mount only at the top of the photo, whereby anyone could gently lift up the picture from its lower end. Many collectors, most likely to ensure the photo was secure, added additional glue either at the sides, the bottom or both. In such cases, SGC provides an “authentic” technical assessment, reasoning that the originality of the example has been somewhat compromised. While this may be the case, the assigned grade is NOT a reflection on this offering’s absolutely breathtaking aesthetics. Secondly, the unparalleled rarity of this virtually never seen artifact easily outdistances any assigned grade, with the “right to own a copy” certainly the more prevalent issue.
Bottom line is any seldom surfacing Ty Cobb cardboard obscurity from his playing days immediately arouses the interest of every elite enthusiast. Cobb’s fiery playing style and batting excellence set the standard that all players are measured against. A 1936 Charter member of baseball’s Hall of Fame and still owner of the highest lifetime batting average, Cobb excelled at every facet of the game, and his legacy will live on for eternity. For these reasons, this incredible “Georgia Peach” offering that has been residing in a private collection for many years is a “crème of the crop” collectible and worthy of an esteemed place in any “World Class” collection.
The silver gelatin “fielding pose” photo is nearly immaculate as Cobb reaches up with his period style glove to snare another batted ball. Fine contrast, crystal clear clarity and a virtually clean surface all combine to elevate the illustration’s amazing aesthetics. Both the corners and edges are ultra sharp and the image is well centered between four bright white borders. There is some modest soiling directly above the lower left border, and as previously mentioned, due to the photo being secured to the mount at the lower edge with glue, some of the glue residue has made its way onto the photo near the lower left corner. This, however, does not minimize the magnificent eye appeal radiating from this extreme rarity. The mount itself portrays a more unique style off-white surface, no major surface flaws are evident, and the slightly rounded corners provide a visual appeasing even wear. The reverse side is likewise ultra clean, fee of any written notations, cracks and/or creases. Save the added glue, this photo would have achieved a solid “VG-EX” mid-grade assessment, yet via its uncontested scarcity and brilliant aesthetics, the technical grade is virtually irrelevant.
The fact remains that this extraordinary Ty Cobb masterpiece currently stands as the sole SGC encapsulated T5 “fielding pose” Cobb specimen, and would be the unequivocal centerpiece of any elite vintage collection. That considered, now is your “once in a lifetime opportunity” to emulate the T5 “Georgia Peach” hallowed fielding pose and reach for the stars by seizing this priceless marvel for your permanent possession!