NAV: Ty Cobb autograph with Ironclad :) provenance

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by canjond

Scott - to be clear, I was not the consignor in SCP or any other auction, and I never owned this piece or any of the letters. Also, I've never been an underbidder on the item. To that end, I worded my original post very carefully and certainly didn't think I implied anything nefarious - all I did was ask a simple question. I had interest in the Cobb letter when you posted it, but I recalled them having been sold as a group in a Lipset auction a few years ago with the information I asked about above (I was not aware SCP sold them as well).

As for my knowing what the JSA letters say, if you go back and check the Lipset auction, you will see that it quotes the JSA letter, which is what I recalled reading.

Okay, thanks Jon, for clarifying. The phrase you used - "traced over" - was a little irritating, since the SCP auction didn't describe anything of the sort, and tracing is frowned upon with autographs. The Cobb signature is definitely darker than the others. Nothing was done to the other autographs to prepare them for publication, so I have no idea why someone would have even enhanced the background of the Cobb, or traced over it (if that occurred).

In any case, I'll pull it as the thought is now in the head of anyone who would consider purchasing it.

[esehombre]

Well, the thought should be there and for full disclosure's sake it should be mentioned as a possibility.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by esehombre

Well, the thought should be there and for full disclosure's sake it should be mentioned as a possibility.

Dude, my disclosure was as full as I knew how to make it. This thread is already on the verge of being considered 'hijacked', and the irony is that the last thing I expected was a bunch of negative comments about it. Given the fact that it's virtually THE ONLY example of a Ty Cobb autograph that actually has provenance, I thought all of the comments I received would be on the positive side. Cobb received this letter in 1923/24, held it, read it, signed it. It was then used in a published ad - the exact signature. The 'cleaning up' is actually added evidence that it was used for publication and signed by Cobb. I have been purchasing and studying Cobb signatures for over a decade, and, other than checks and other legal documents, this is the only Cobb signature that actually has any significant provenance.

If you are kicking a tire, please fade back into Deutschland. If you are a serious buyer, continue talking, but say something useful please.

[Chris999]

All things considered, what were you asking for the piece if you don't mind me inquiring.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by Chris999

All things considered, what were you asking for the piece if you don't mind me inquiring.

It's on ebay, and the price I offer here is usually 10-15% lower (sometimes more). If you feel like making an offer here, just use the contact member function.

I'm still looking for a hi-res scan of the ad it was used in. Once I have that, it's going in a display with the photo of him wearing his Bradley sweater and then either to my wall, or to an auction house.