Auction Item Details
LOT 205
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Lot Number: 205
Description: Important August 21, 1921 Ty Cobb single signed baseball attributed to his 3,000th base hit with related materials. Toned red and blue stitched Official American League baseball shows evident game usage incl. various surface abrasions and soiling. The ball has been signed on a side panel, "Ty Cobb 3000 Hit Ball 1921" in black fountain pen. Signature and inscription (in Cobb's hand) have some age fading but remain very clearly legible ranging from 3-6 out of 10. Sweet spot of the ball has been inscribed in period black fountain pen, "Ball Hit For 3000 Hit by Tyrus R. Cobb ? Gift To George Moriarity." The word after Cobb's name is visible but unclear and the terminology that follows is either "Gifted" or "Gift To". While it is unclear as to whether the sweet spot notation was written by Moriarity himself it is known that Moriarity was meticulous in documenting similar artifacts within his collection including 1909 W.Series Game #6 Last Out ball (see Lot 204) and a 1925 World Series ball thrown out by President Coolidge (image on file) that was inscribed as such. The ball was most likely acquired by Moriarity at the actual game as he was one of the umpires present during both games of the doubleheader. At the age of 34 Cobb was the youngest player to have ever accomplished the hallowed feat of reaching the 3,000 hit milestone with a hit off of Boston pitcher Elmer Myers in the second game of a doubleheader played in Detroit. Cobb would play for another seven years ending his illustrious and controversial career with over 4,100 lifetime hits: VG. Offered with the baseball are several other related artifacts which are also attributed to the Moriarity collection and were discovered with the offered baseball. Included are the following: 1) Full web fielder's glove manufactured by D&M Sporting Goods Co. c.1915-20 attributed to Ty Cobb. Very high quality leather glove is a right hand throwing model retaining its original D&M cloth patch on the backstrap and D&M metal button. White buckskin interior is of professional quality and although toned remains intact. Affixed to the backstrap of the glove via two period metal paperclips is a portion of Cobb's personal stationary with the initialed monogram "TRC" that appeared at the top of the letterhead. Based on the silhouette of the paper clips on the paper and the patination of the leather where the paperclips are affixed it is conclusive that they have been in place for a number of years. A small metal rimmed identification tag is present which was added at a later date that reads "Cobb's Glove" on one side and "From G.Moriarity" on the reverse. The glove exhibits evident usage remaining in its original surface with typical crazing and some flaking to the surface. The letters "Mow" are written in ink underneath the leather interior lining which may have been some sort of an identification or possibly were added at a later date. The "w" is not definitive as it is intersected by a period insect hole. While it is unclear as to whether Cobb ever used the offered glove its design and construction are consistent with professional gloves of the period including those used by Cobb. Additionally, it is also evident that Moriarity had requested items from Cobb directly per the reference in the 1918 letter (copy enclosed) of which the letterhead monogram is identical to that attached to the offered glove: VG-EX. 2) Mounted cabinet photo of Cobb batting c.1916 in Tigers uniform with "Ty at Lighthouse 1916" written faintly on the front and "George Moriarity" written in pencil on the back. Image size is 3 1/2"x5 1/2" on its original mount: EX. 3) Two page handwritten letter sent by Cobb to Moriarity in which Cobb details his preparations to serve in World War I within the chemical warfare division. Cobb specifically mentions being measured for a pair of "putties" which was a term for the style of military clothing. Also within the letter is the passage, "I will ship bats today and hope they will be o.k." The letter is signed by Cobb in ink: EX-MT. Along with the offered materials two Cobb professional model bats were originally discovered along with a dated Sept. 12, 1918 typewritten letter on Cobb's stationary as sent to George Moriarity. Cobb writes in this 1918 letter, in part, "Drop me a line and let me know if you received the bats. Sorry I could not get more but the "Fans" raided me for souvenirs. Also let me know if you want to figure on any Exhibition games between those dates, as it will probably be, if I play, the last games on this soil as I will be out of the game for good on my return." A copy of this letter is included with the lot further evidencing the relationship between Cobb and Moriarity in which various items were given to Moriarity. Historic game event baseballs have always been cherished for their inherent value and equally so for the portal they provide into baseball history. Along with the 500 home run mark the 3,000 hit plateau stands as the pinnacle of career achievements for a baseball batsman. That said, there could be no greater exemplar of related memorabilia than the offered ball from the finest overall batter in Major League history. Includes LOA from James Spence Authentication (autograph and period inscription), LOA from SCD Authentic (regarding the quality of the glove), xerox copy of the 1918 typewritten letter from Cobb to Moriarity (letterhead monogram matches the paper on the glove), and supporting materials relating to Moriarity.
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