Cobb's RC
 

Apologies in advance if this has been discussed before, but what is the general consensus-- if any-- regarding Cobb's RC? I've heard the w600, the Wolverine poses, some other postcards, and the E102. Or is this one of those situations where there isn't a wrong answer per se, and it depends on each collector's own definitions and preferences. Thanks.

Best,

Matt

1906 w601 postcard

Why not the 1908 E90-1 American caramel?

Matt:

Jeff replied with the earliest catalogued "card" of Cobb. What will keep it from being a rookie card in many collectors' eyes is the fact that it is a team postcard. Any of the Wolverine, Deitsche & Taylor postcards with a 1907 postmark on the back would certainly be considered rookie cards as long as you accept postcards. The W600 first appeared in 1907 but continued to be issued through subsequent years. The E102 might be the earliest traditional-size "card" but was issued later than all of these.

BTW the earliest catalogued Cobb is the 1905 W601 Detroit Premium.

i believe all of the aforementioned are considered his RC. I have his dietsch fielding postcard...and I consider this his RC...not that I really care as I don't collect rookie cards...I just love the pose!

The e102 is wrong assumption
 

For years the E102 set has been mislabeled/misidentified...

It is Clearly not a 1908 issue and here is why it's a 1909...

Dave Shean was traded to Boston from Philly on July 16 1909....that means this set had to be issued after the trade (Shean appears on Boston in E102)

Pretty straight forward, don't know why they call E102 1908 when its clearly 1909...

The very first caramel set was E90-1 issued in 1908

There are a lot of non-regional 1907 postcards featuring Cobb, all before any traditional card came out. But the W601 is probably the earliest, although as noted above it's a team card:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/calvindog/5342975261/" title="1906 Sporting Life Postcard W601 by calvindog65, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5047/5342975261_2c9bcac364_o.jpg" width="872" height="470" alt="1906 Sporting Life Postcard W601"></a>

By my definition of a card...it would have to be e90-1...as postcards and oversized thingies aren't really cards!!!!:p

insert cards
 

Yes, I agree Peter.....I still continue to distinguish insert cards from post cards. But I guess everyone can have his own definition of the words "baseball cards".

What about E107? Is that not the first caramel set?? Regardless, I agree with the reasoning behind e102, although we forget that it's possible cards could have been issued over several years and not a single year.

That said, I consider this to be Cobb's earliest (uncatalogued) card... A 1905 RPPC w/ jeweler George Parquette of Augusta, GA who gave Cobb a gold watch in 1905 at Cobb's last game with the Augusta Tourists before heading to Detroit.

It appears that Cobb wore the same suit as the one he is wearing in a 1905 autographed photo that sold recently (on 8/1/13) by Heritage Auctions - link: http://sports.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleN...No=80041#Photo

E223 Came out in 1888. It was technically gum but is the first cataloged E card set.

That's what I get for opening my big mouth... :) E223 and E107 both definitely pre-date the E90-1 and E102 sets. Buy we've digressed! Lets focus on Cobb!!

As you can see, consensus is that there isn't consensus on Cobb's rookie card. I am partial to my 1905 RPPC, but would be just as happy w/ any of the 1907 PC's (including the awesome Seamless Steel PC) or his 1907 W600.

If you want a "standard size" card, e102 was the front-runner, but it sounds like recent research would suggest that the E90-1 might be "it".

a potential 1 of a kind...RPPC...can and will never be recognized as cobb's rookie "card!" Nice piece...but no dice!!!!

Personally, I consider the 1906 W601 postcard to be his rookie card. While this is also a team card, it also shows Cobb in an individual portrait with an individual label. That is quite a bit different than the shoulder-to-shoulder, full body team shot (ie. team shots in the post war era). Again, everybody will have their own opinions, but this one is a touch easier, IMO.

It is made of cardboard, shows an individual image of him, was made for distribution, and is easy to date based on production and postmarks.

Cobb's Rookie Card
 

Hi Matt, its Joe T. Cobb's inaugural appearance on a baseball card is his 1906W601 composite, but similar to other hobbyists, you may not prefer a team picture as your rookie card example. Personally, I don't place team photos/composites in the rookie card category but that's simply my opinion. For example, if that was the case, the 1915 Boston Red Sox team postcard would be Ruth's true rookie card, and we know the hobby clearly recognizes Ruth's 1916 M101 issues as his true rookie card(s).

With that said, I would go with one of his 1907 postcards (H.M. Taylor, Wolverine, Dietsche, etc.). Of course you could wait for a 1907 W600 Sporting Life cabinet but that will break the bank! I would shy away from the 1907 - 1909 Novelty Cutlery issue because some hobby speculation now places that card as a 1909 initial release date, not 1907.

If you want to discuss in further detain, please feel free to give me a call.

Regards,
Joe T.

Agreed, after the W601 it's one of these:
 

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/calvindog/2909247865/" title="1907 AC Dietsche PC 765-1-1 Batting by calvindog65, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3159/2909247865_a07d3caa4a_o.jpg" width="500" height="858" alt="1907 AC Dietsche PC 765-1-1 Batting"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/calvindog/2909248245/" title="1907 AC Dietsche PC 765-1-1 Fielding by calvindog65, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3118/2909248245_6eedc07b2f_o.jpg" width="500" height="862" alt="1907 AC Dietsche PC 765-1-1 Fielding"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/calvindog/2910087380/" title="1907-09 HM Taylor Postcard PC 773-2 by calvindog65, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3020/2910087380_54a6d792f0_o.jpg" width="835" height="472" alt="1907-09 HM Taylor Postcard PC 773-2"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/calvindog/4017117934/" title="1907 Wolverine News PC 773-3 Portrait by calvindog65, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2674/4017117934_180ac1b7d0_o.jpg" width="468" height="856" alt="1907 Wolverine News PC 773-3 Portrait"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/calvindog/8119312285/" title="1907 Wolverine News PC 773-3 Batting by calvindog65, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8186/8119312285_12d40879af_o.jpg" width="458" height="847" alt="1907 Wolverine News PC 773-3 Batting"></a>

The 1907 Wolverine News Portrait card is his true rookie card.

because.... well.... just look at it.... its awesome.

+1 ... Although the full profile image on his 1907 Seamless Steel Tubes card is pretty fantastic too!!

1906 w601 postcard

I always thought the Wolverine portrait was considered his RC, but based on the multiple responses, I think the take away is that everyone has an opinion as to what is and isn't Cobb's RC. Good Luck with whatever you decide to go after.