Lot # 140: Circa 1908 Detroit Tigers "Our Home Team" Fold-Out Postcard with Ty Cobb

Circa 1908 Detroit Tigers "Our Home Team" fold-out novelty postcard (5.5 x 3.5 inches) produced by the Art Post Card Co. of Detroit, Michigan. The front of the postcard features a photo of a game in progress, above which is a flap that reads “Our Home Team.” Housed under the flap, in a folded accordion format, are 14 black-and-white photo panels (2 x 2.25 inches) picturing members of the Detroit Tigers, including manager Hughie Jennings, Ty Cobb (together with Red Downs), Sam Crawford, Bill Donovan, and Ed Summers (with Ian Thomas). This is one of five different teams in the “Our Home Team” postcard series, all of which are extremely scarce. The Detroit Tigers example is particularly desirable as it includes Cobb. Collecting the series is extremely challenging. The offered example originates from the Dreier Collection offered publicly over a decade ago. The postcard (3.5 x 5.5 inches), which has been addressed and mailed (postmarked “Detroit, Mich. Aug 19 1909”), displays moderate edge and corner wear, along with light creasing. The fragile photo panels remain in Near Mint condition. In Good condition overall.