A rare and historically significant Ty Cobb rookie card is set to captivate collectors at an upcoming auction. The 1907 Seamless Steel Tubes Post Card, featuring a handwritten and signed message from the legendary “Georgia Peach” himself, stands as one of the most important Ty Cobb artifacts ever offered to the public.
This exceptional piece dates back to the dawn of Cobb’s illustrious career. Having made his Major League debut in late 1905, Cobb entered the 1907 season with a respectable but modest .293 career batting average. By the end of that season, however, he had established himself as one of the game’s greatest players, a fact proudly proclaimed on this postcard.
The postcard itself is a highly coveted collectible. It is one of only three known examples of the 1907 Seamless Steel Tubes Cobb rookie card that Heritage Auctions has had the privilege to present, with fewer than five known to exist in total. The sponsor of this rare set was a Detroit factory known for making exhaust systems for steam locomotives, a curious choice given the era’s tobacco-dominated baseball card market. This unique origin adds to the card’s allure and places it within the broader context of Detroit’s rise as an industrial powerhouse.
What elevates this particular postcard to an even higher level of importance is the handwritten message from Cobb, addressed to a former teammate from the 1905 Augusta (GA) Tourists. Postmarked from Chicago on October 7, 1907, just a day before the Detroit Tigers faced the Chicago Cubs in the World Series, the message reflects Cobb’s excitement and anticipation for the Fall Classic. In his note, Cobb recounts his season’s achievements and looks forward to the World Series:
“Well, we have won the pennant and here for world series. I led in hitting, stolen bases 60, assists, and second 100 runs, hit 355 unofficially – hope you lots of luck, will be glad to hear at any time. Royston GA., have an offer to go with all-Americans out to California. Excuse this advertising card.”
Cobb signs off simply as “Ty,” with his signature and message written in bold black fountain pen ink, maintaining remarkable clarity after more than a century. The card, encapsulated by PSA/DNA as Authentic, shows signs of its journey through the mail and over eleven decades of storage, but these condition issues pale in comparison to the card’s historical significance and rarity.
This Ty Cobb rookie card, with its unique blend of personal and baseball history, is estimated to fetch $150,000 or more at auction, offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for collectors to own a piece of baseball’s storied past.
