This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/15/2020
One of the most enigmatic figures in baseball history, Ty Cobb was capable of amazing beauty and unthinkable ugliness, all at the same time. Sports journalist Jimmy Cannon once said of Ty Cobb, "He was the strangest of all our national sports idols. But not even his disagreeable character could destroy the image of his greatness as a ballplayer. Ty Cobb was the best. That seemed to be all he wanted." Even with his contentious personality, "The Georgia Peach" will always be remembered as a true baseball immortal and arguably the most skilled player in history. And he proved to be as great a businessman and investor as he was a ballplayer after his career ended, amassing enormous wealth as a major stockholder in the Coca-Cola Corporation. Although just about any card featuring Cobb is an icon within the sports card industry, his 1914 Cracker Jack card stands out for its popularity and scarcity relative to most issues. Several baseball legends are included in the '14 Cracker Jack series but Cobb was in the forefront when it came to the diamond, having just secured his 7th consecutive American League batting title (he'd run the streak to nine straight and 12 out of 13 from 1907-1919). Because Cobb dominated the junior-circuit, "Shoeless" Joe Jackson was never able to win a batting title yet ranks #3 all-time in batting average (Cobb is first of course). The presented card is graded PSA 3 and unlike most Cracker Jacks at this grade level, this example of Cobb shows superior centering and bold red central image color. The corners are consistently rounded with slight creases visible in the upper and lower right corners but barely impede upon the overall presentation, with unavoidable but mild caramel staining on the white border and the reverse. A strong representative for the grade, this rare beauty offers a great opportunity to collectors not able to secure a truly elite-level specimen.