Circa 1910 Ty Cobb Original Large-Format Studio Photograph

Sold For:

$3,480

Year:

1910

Auction:

2020 Summer

Lot #:

2045

Category:

Original Photography

Extraordinary original large-format studio photograph of Ty Cobb as a member of the Detroit Tigers, circa 1910. The photo captures Cobb in uniform, posing on a stone platform, striking a batting pose. Although no year or photographer's credit is present, the uniform style shown here was used by the Detroit Tigers only between the years 1908 and 1911. This is one of four such Cobb studio photos offered in this auction, each of which pictures him in a different pose. The four photos, which are new to the hobby, were originally a gift from Cobb to our consignor's grandfather and have been in the family's possession for over 100 years. According to our consignor, his grandfather, Leonard A. Young, was an accomplished polo player and owner of The Detroit Polo Club. He also created an experimental line of golf clubs and golf balls for noted golfer Walter Hagen. Both Hagen and Young were members of the Detroit Athletic Club, as was Ty Cobb. It was through Hagen that Young was introduced to Cobb and they became friends. While the details have been lost to time, it is the family's understanding that these large-format photos of Cobb were presented by Cobb to Young as a gift of friendship. For decades they hung on the wall in Young's office, each a proud embodiment of his valued friendship with the legendary "Georgia Peach." Upon Young's death, they were passed down through the family, until now, when our consignor feels the time has finally come to share them with the collecting community. These are the first examples of these photos we have ever seen and both their size and artistic composition clearly distinguish them as presentation pieces. The fact that we have not seen any others probably indicates that Cobb distributed them only to close friends and family members. The offered photo (9.75 x 15.25 inches) displays a number of light abrasions as a result of its having been stored out of frame for many years. In Very Good condition overall. The photo has been affixed to an unevenly trimmed white mount (10.5 x 16 inches), which displays mounting remnants on the reverse. Reserve $1,000. Estimate (open).