Stall & Dean Cobb Advertisement

[Mr. Mitt]

Collect.com is offering a Stall & Dean Ty Cobb advertising piece in their upcoming auction, lot #2. They're pulling all the stops on this one as a quick google search reveals several videos and articles touting the piece and comparing it to Barry Halper's auctioned by Sotheby's. Please be aware that since the Halper auction, several reproductions have surfaced that contain all the same irregularities of the Sotheby's example except one. There was a crease on Halper's while all those offered since are cut differently, eliminating a portion of the original where the crease was.

In any event, there are a few long stories about the repros, which apparently originated from the Ohio area. Unfortunately, some people were fooled and are out big money. I handled two of the repros years ago, but thankfully wasn't taken for anything. Suffice it to say, if you're interested in this piece (in this auction or any that follow) do your homework and be aware that repros exist. The best starting point is to pull out the Halper auction catalog and compare them. Most of you will stop right there because you'll become immediately skeptical. If you end up purchasing one, take it to an expert in printing. The repros are easily detected by a trained eye because the original printing process isn't used on the fakes. Lastly, get the paper dated. The repros look old, weathered and original at first, but they're not. The best advice I can give, when going after a piece like this, is to know the seller's refund policy before making the purchase!

[Mr. Mitt]

Here is a link to the auction which, ironically, is associated with SCD, the magazine (laugh) that gives Coach's Corner Auction awards!

http://www.sportscollectorsdigest.com/u ... ction1.pdf



Also, here's a link to an old thread that briefly discusses Cobb Stall & Dean reproductions:

http://www.network54.com/Forum/567138/t ... other+fake

[Mr. Mitt]

There's no need to pull out your Halper catalog as a side-by-side comparison has been done for us all on the net54 site:

http://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=112519

This fantastic explanation and comparison should lead to the lot being pulled from the auction, but given SCD's history, I doubt that will occur. It's a cool piece, but a $20 piece. Please do not be fooled.

[vintagebrett]

I used to see these at shows when I lived out in IL - the same guy was always selling them along with a bunch of others. Every time I asked where they originated from, I got the same response "They came from an old barn."

For $20, I agree it would be neat to put in your collection.

Oh, and SCD is still around? And now they are doing auctions? I wonder if they are going to give Coaches Corner a run for their money? Maybe that is a better venue for the Cobb piece.

[BigD-Moonlight]

Jerry,I remember you and I discussing this when I was still in Japan.
I picked up one of the Cobb Glove Ad pieces a couple of years ago on ebay and bought it as a reproduction. It goes well with the other Cobb stuff in my collection and I think I paid about $30 or so.
I would be real skeptical trying to buy one as an original. Besides I would prefer to save the money for important things like gloves.

[Mr. Mitt]

Yeah, John, I remember. I sent out a an email to a bunch of guys in the hobby after I had a printing guy analyze one I was intending to buy. At the time I had your 8045 and an 0876, so I really wanted the advertising piece to go along with them. The repros had just begun to hit the market and I was an easy target. Thankfully I was skeptical form the start, something just didn't look right. There were two guys, that I know of, who paid a few grand and never recouped their cost, unfortunately. I'm sure it looks magnificent next to the 8045 and box, but more importantly, I'm glad you got one for $30 instead of being taken!

I simply wanted to revisit the topic now that this one is featured in an "auction house" auction. Don't want anyone losing money or having to go through the hassle. There may be some new collectors to the hobby who weren't privy to the events from a few years back.

[softball66]

This Little Appearance happened early (early for me) in the hobby, late 1980s and early 1990s when these were described or it was described as found in an old attic in Iowa. These and the Gehrig zipper repro signs dotted the hobby for awhile. I remember a fellow in California had a way to distinguish these Cobbs from the originals as grommets were used instead of easel backs but I my memory is fuzzy on that.
And we know to look out for fake decal bats too.

[BigD-Moonlight]

Yeah Joe, seen, heard and own all of those. They still are nice displays and reasonable price if you buy as reproduction.
The list wouldn't be complete without the Babe Ruth Fro-Joy card display set.