This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/15/2017
Of all the great legends that have faced Hall of Famer Ty Cobb in his 24-year career, "The Georgia Peach" admitted that, hands down, the single toughest hurler he ever battled was fellow Cooperstown resident Walter Johnson. “The first time I faced him, I watched him take that easy windup. And then something went past me that made me flinch. The thing just hissed with danger,” said Cobb. “We couldn’t touch him … every one of us knew we’d met the most powerful arm ever turned loose in a ball park.” Then Cobb admitted to Tigers owner Frank Nevin that Johnson's fastball was so fast, it scared him. High praise indeed from the greatest hitter of his time, if not all-time! The featured card depicts "The Big Train" having just his completed his 4th consecutive season with the most wins in the American league, posting a 116-58 record with a 1.59 ERA from 1913-16. Graded SGC 84 NM 7 and carrying the significantly more difficult Boston Store reverse, this example is "one of one" and more than a grade higher than any other example, regardless of reverse. In fact, the only card that comes close to matching it is a PSA 7 Collins-McCarthy backed example that was featured in an MHCC auction four years ago. Extremely well-framed with bona fide NM top endpoints and bottom corners that appear even better, this beauty grabs your eye with a perfectly delivered central image of Johnson, giving the observer a taste of what an imposing figure he was on the mound. The Boston store reverse appears factory-fresh with bold black printing on a toned white canvas that shows no staining or other print defects. Even at the almost impossible grade of NM, you can't help but think this elite piece has eye appeal that easily surpasses the grade!