This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/6/2016
This Ty Cobb vintage signed and inscribed 11 X 14 black and white photograph is one of the most impressive and important photographs of Cobb extant. On what is the largest portrait photograph that we have ever seen, Cobb has signed to former major league pitching ace Guy Harris “Doc” White against whom he batted many times during his career. Cobb, photographed wearing the uniform of the Philadelphia Athletics where he played the last two seasons of his illustrious twenty-four career (1905-1928) has signed, “To ‘Doc’ From His Friend, Ty,” in black fountain pen. White played in the majors thirteen seasons earning the nickname “Doc,” practicing dentistry during the off seasons. Cobb faced White on the mound many times during White’s eleven seasons pitching for the Chicago White Stockings in the AL (1903-1913), where during the early years of his pitching career, White “owned” Cobb. No doubt Cobb’s signing “Ty,” reflected the mutual respect and endearment shared between both of them as White was considered one of major league baseball’s most elite pitchers and Cobb of course one of the league’s most elite batters and base-runners. As a matter of fact one of White’s record setting five consecutive pitched shut-outs in 1904 occurred against the Detroit Tigers, shutting the Tigers out 3-0 on just two hits. Following their careers, Cobb would remark about getting the better of “Doc” in his later years pitching. In the first election held to enter the Baseball Hall of Fame (1936) Cobb outdistanced Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner, Christy Mathewson and Walter Johnson in leading in the ballots cast. This is truly a remarkable vintage signed Cobb photograph. Not only is it one of the largest extant but it represents the competitive success and comradery of these renowned baseball players. Authenticated by JSA with a full letter of authenticity.