Lot # 94: 1906-1907 W601 Sporting Life Detroit Tigers Team Composite Postcard with Ty Cobb Rookie

Rarely offered 1906-1907 Sporting Life team postcard of the Detroit Tigers, of special note as it is highlighted by the inclusion of Ty Cobb (1906 is extremely early for any item featuring Cobb). This is a smaller, postcard version of the W601 Sporting Life team composites (13 x 14 inches) issued by the Sporting Life newspaper, which were available to fans either by individual purchase (for 10 cents) or as a complete set in a bound volume. The 1905 Detroit Tigers team composite featuring Cobb is considered by many to be one of the earliest images in existence of Cobb as a member of the Tigers and one that predates his rookie card by one or two years (Cobb's true rookie card is often debated by collectors). This 1906 composite, issued just one year later, features the exact same image of Cobb (who made his debut on August 30, 1905, at the age of 18). This postcard and the two large-format composites from 1905 and 1906 undoubtedly represent some of the earliest promotional issues featuring Ty Cobb, who is situated in the bottom row of this team composite. Included among the remaining 18 team members are Sam Crawford, William Armour (Mgr.), Wild Bill Donovan, Germany Schaefer, Bobby Lowe, George Mullin, and Matty McIntyre. This is one of just 11 examples of this rare postcard ever graded (at any level) by PSA or SGC. While we realize that the definition of what is a player's rookie card can sometimes be very controversial and can vary from collector to collector, this postcard is certainly worthy of consideration for that claim, a distinction that is reasonably shared with several issues dating from Cobb's earliest days in the major leagues. The postcard (5-7/16 x 3-9/16 inches), which has been addressed and mailed with a 1907 postmark, displays outstanding photo clarity and contrast. Heavy creasing is visible and the upper-left corner is clipped. Encapsulated as Authentic by PSA. Despite the flaws, this is a very attractive example of one of the key team composite postcards from this rare set, and one of the earliest of all Ty Cobb cards. It would be a monumental addition to any Hall of Fame, world-class postcard, or Ty Cobb collection. This is only the second example we have offered in the past 22 years!