Ty Cobb Loving Cup Restoration

[jcmtiger]

Should I get this Cobb Loving Cup restored. Silver plated, gold fill on the inside.? This is W.B. Jarvis Sporting Goods Company. Ty cobb was part owner when the company was started in 1913 in Detroit. He was involved until around 1915. I have the original sporting goods catalog and advertising for the cup. I also have a tennis racket with advertising and an Indoor bat Ty Cobb W.B. Jarvis and a few W.B. Jarvis Stock certificates. When I found the cup years ago, I almost did get it restored, but they had to send it out and I was nervous about that. Anyone have a value or seen another? I have never seen another for sale or in any Cobb Collection.

Joe

[BigJJ]

Was the piece originally silver plated? If so, I would get restored in antiqued silver plate. I lean toward presentation outweighing non-restoration with regard to silver plated pieces, as the presentation is so dramatically affected positively by restoration. Empire Metal Finishing, 718-545-6700, they have a terrific top quality antique silver finish, they do an A++ job, though not cheap. but its a terrific piece.

[canjond]

Awesome piece.

[esd10]

i would not get it restored it might hurt the value because collectors want it to be original as many antique roadshows i have seen they always say dont do anything to the antiques.

[Scott Garner]

Joe,
Awesome loving cup! I don't have any advice to give because this is absolutely out of my expertice, but I know that others on this board will check in with some great thoughts.

Good luck finding your answer. Congrats on your awesome Cobber piece! :)

[ksfarmboy]

Just my personal opinion. I think the trophy looks great the way it is and wouldn't touch it. Is there any engraving on it?

[HRBAKER]

IMO - Beautiful as is and ORIGINAL.

[jcmtiger]

Just my personal opinion. I think the trophy looks great the way it is and wouldn't touch it. Is there any engraving on it?

Yes, there is engraving on the cup. The front has Ty Cobb
Brand

The back has:
Ty Cobb
Trophy
Presented by
W.B. Jarvis Co.
Detroit Grand Rapids
To
Grammar School
Championship
Relay Team
Class A
1913
With a Baseball engraved below the writing

Here is picture of the back.

I think I will leave it the way it is, but I would like to straghton the bottom, any ideas?

[ksfarmboy]

I've always thought that was a great looking trophy and I've never seen another. Fixing the bottom might be something I would fix. Just have to be careful not to break it off from the rest of the trophy or cause a crack.

[mjkm90]

DO NOT bend that yourself. Have an expert do it. If this piece did have silver that has worn away, I would have it restored for sure. It's not like refinishing a game used bat or an antique piece of furniture with valuable patina. If the silver has flaked off, that is NOT patina, it's damage. The new silver will tarnish quickly and look old. The value of this piece is in the form, not the history of ownership or evidence of use. Just a few thoughts.

Here is an example of a trophy I purchased from Corey Leiby many years ago that was resilvered. Look at how the detail POPS after an expert job.
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q304/mjkm90/2.jpg
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q304/mjkm90/baseball-trophy-dm-3.jpg
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q304/mjkm90/1.jpg

Here it is today on the top right shelf...looks old again, but original.
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q304/mjkm90/IMG_1736.jpg

[ksfarmboy]

Yeah I wasn't implying that you bend it yourself. 99 out of 100 times that suckers going to break off or crack.