Ty Cobb Suspicions/Newbie Representing the Ladies
 

Hi all - I'm a new member (yet long time lurker) so I just thought I'd say hello since I'm 1 of the 3 females here according to the current poll check. I've been collecting T206s and cabinets for a little over a year now but have been into the history aspect for several years. Oddly, I'm not really into modern day baseball at all. Also as a lawyer (and overall nerd), I've become increasingly intrigued by the counterfeits, fakes, and frauds out there. That being said, I recently came across this Ty Cobb T206 Polar Bear card and Ty Cobb signature which seem a little sketchy to me. Thoughts?

http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/...bacco-baseball
http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/...ure-375x5-piec

Both say guaranteed authentic without any specifics other than the "piece was removed from an autograph album and grades an 8 of 10" re: the signature. There are also a few Babe Ruth and Joe Jackson lots that seem off, but are of course guaranteed authentic as well.

Just seemed a bit odd to me when I stumbled upon them, especially when I saw their Native American and Navajo lots which also seem shady. OT, but also along with the intro, I'm a bit of an expert in that area having grown up on a reservation. Although not Navajo myself, my father was an IHS doctor, so my family has quite the Navajo and Hopi art collection. Basically I've been taught to be on the lookout for frauds and fakes since I was born so I always err on the side of caution. ANYWAYS (totally being the girl here) I just thought I'd share! Either way, if they are legit maybe someone here might be interested and get these for a good deal.

P.S. I initially wrote that the Ty Cobbs rubbed me the wrong way and since all of y'all are guys here...that's what she said.

No opinion on the signature, but T206 looks okay to me.

Welcome! :)
T206 looks to be an artificially aged reprint and the autograph is bad. You have good instincts. :cool:

I'd feel comfortable buying that Cobb

The T206 is good.

I don't have an opinion on the autograph.

The card looks fine, the sig not so much!

Welcome
 

LOL! You're going to fit in nicely here! :D:D:D

very accurate description of the cobb on the auction page. they at least know what they're doing with the card.

The T206 Ty Cobb is authentic. There are a number of important indicators but one of the most conclusive and easiest to see is the top right corner. Note the wear and the color of the paper stock under the thin, top layer that has worn away. That's exactly what it is supposed to look like. The printing, texture, reverse tobacco stains, etc., also are consistent with an authentic Polar Bear brand T206 Cobb.

The Cobb signature is not authentic. It is one of the least characteristic I have ever seen.

Welcome, Kat
 

Thanks for the heads up on the Cobb card, but I'm taking a break from good deals on liveauctioneers.com

+1 "crease lines touched up",,,

Hi Kat, and welcome !!

I agree, the card looks ok and it is a possible front/back combination~ but I have absolutely no idea about the auto.

Great to have another T206 collector on the board :D Good luck hunting !!

Sincerely, Clayton

Kat

Agree card looks good.

Autograph? I couldn't give an opinion.

Out of curiosity, what is an IHS Doctor?

Sig is no good

IHS = Indian (Native American) Health Services

My uncle was in IHS in Oklahoma, Washington state, and North Dakota.


Also welcome Kat,

The T206 Cobb appears authentic to me. The creases on the front and back match up. As noted in a previous post, Cobb Red Portrait and Polar Bear back are legitimate front back combos. The COBB, DETROIT on the front are the correct color and font (compare with the PSA graded Cobb Red Portrait Polar Bear I've attached). The back shows the factory info at the bottom. A lot of reprints will either not show the factory, or will have paper loss where the factory is suppose to show.

I don't know enough about autographs to comment on that.

Best Regards and Happy Collecting :)
Craig

The T206 Cobb is fine. I would buy it all day for $200-$400.

I have a feeling it will go for more now. What about their other cards?

That is an ugly fake sig. Stay away!

She also said that.

I defer to the experts on the T card. I was dubious because it looked like the image is darker, the boldness of the 'Cobb, Detroit', and the fairly even wear of the corners. I guess I'm too used to seeing everyones nice specimens here.:)

Kat....
 

Great to have you posting! and you picked a great set to collect:).....I m not sure if you've seen what I collect(T206 freaks/printer's scraps)....Thanks for keeping an eye out for the fakes...

The Cobb looks good from the scan, but I have been fooled by scans before...The Name/Team desig is a little darker than normal, but that appears to be the correct ink....Auto- have no clue.....they are tuf to determine....if you come across any t206 printer's scraps, let me know.....look forward to reading your posts...KEEP AN EYE OUT!;)

Peace

Johnny

Welcome aboard!