Lot # 574: 1911-1914 D304 Brunners Bread Ty Cobb SGC VG+ 3.5 (MBA Silver Diamond)

Graded VG+ 3.5 by SGC. Presented is the key Hall of Famer from the extremely rare 25-card D304 General Baking Co. brand bread series. This is one of Ty Cobb's rarest, most unusual, and most striking vintage cards. Issued by a bakery in the Buffalo, New York area, these cards are known to have five different back styles (Brunners, Butter Krust, General Baking Co., Weber Bakery, and Martens Bakery). Similar in design to tobacco and candy cards of the era, D304s measure slightly larger than T206s, at 1.75 x 2.5 inches, and while not “on the radar” of most collectors, they are actually considerably rarer than most 1910-era “E” and “T” card issues. The fronts feature very attractive full-color illustrations, each of which is unique to this issue. In recent years, collectors have shown a growing appreciation for the mystique of the rarest vintage-card issues. D304s certainly fall into this category and have always been appreciated but are rarely offered. D304s were issued in 1911, 1912, 1913, and 1914. This is a very sharp-looking card in all respects with extraordinary eye appeal and it is well-centered with brilliant colors, outstanding registration, and honest corner wear. The back of the card features advertising for Butter Krust brand bread, which is boldly printed in green. A light corner crease in the lower left contributes to the assigned grade. This is an outstanding, technically mid-grade example of one of Ty Cobb’s and all of card collecting's rarest, most majestic, and revered prewar cards. Awarded an MBA Silver Diamond by Mike Baker Authenticated for high-end eye appeal. A corresponding MBA sticker is affixed to the front of the holder.