1928 Ty Cobb Signed Japanese Barnstorming Photo PSA 9

Sold For:

$3,190

Year:

1928

Auction:

2006 Spring

Lot #:

647

Category:

Featured

Sepia-tone original photograph of Ty Cobb, taken during a 1928 barnstorming tour of Japan, signed by the famed "Georgia Peach" directly below his image. Cobb has signed and dated the piece ("Ty Cobb - 11/7/28") in blue fountain pen, with the bold signature having received a grade of "MINT 9" by PSA DNA. This extremely rare photo captures Cobb dressed in a "Tokyo" uniform as he poses with his hands on his knees. Cobb, along with Bob Shawkey, headed a Major League barnstorming tour of Japan in the fall of 1928. It is interesting to note that the uniforms for this tour were personally ordered by Cobb himself. We have never before had a single item relating to this barnstorming tour of Japan, which predates by just a few years the famous World Tours of the 1930s. Photographs signed by Ruth from the 1934 Tour of Japan are classics, but pale in comparison to the extreme rarity of this possibly unique signed photo of Ty Cobb playing baseball during the little-known 1928 Tour of Japan. The photo (4.5 x 5.5 inches) has minor mounting remnants on the reverse and is otherwise in Excellent to Mint condition. LOAs from James Spence/JSA and Steve Grad, Mike Gutierrez & Zach Rullo/PSA DNA. Reserve $500. Estimate $1,000/$2,000. SOLD FOR $3,190.00