This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/12/2019
One of the most recognized pieces of baseball Americana by vintage collectors, the 1910 "A Fan for a Fan" series was perhaps the greatest stadium offering of the time-period. While the issue included examples of Christy Mathewson, Hal Chase, and Larry Doyle, the grand-prize of the series is the fan of legendary hitter Ty Cobb. The fan features a full-color portrait of Cobb, his image laid upon a baseball motif with the legend "A Fan for a Fan" arcing above and facsimile autograph below to complete the presentation. The striking design and colorful graphics place the "Fan" series among the most brilliant and attractive of all early baseball issues, and the Cobb entry lives up to the greatness of its subject. A 10 7/8" wooden original handle, attached to the back of the 7-1/2"-diameter fan to enable waving in the stands, extends 4-1/2" beyond the artifact's lower edge. Only a handful of these Cobb fans have surfaced, and most have experienced varying degrees of restoration, but not this one. Arguably the finest original piece known, the color of the central image is bold and well-preserved with only minor staining and marking on the surface, completely insignificant to the naked eye. The reverse shows expected discoloration from its century-plus years of age with a strong crease on the left side that is a lot less visible from the front. A stunning collectible that is as inspiring as any item we have offered and the finest example we've seen.