Ty Cobb In the Matheson Silent Six Auto

[calvindog]

Very rare Cobb postcard from 1910 which until recently, I was unaware came in two different versions, both with Barney Oldfield and Davy Jones -- but with a different driver and copy on the cards. Otherwise the cards are identical:

[edjs]

You sure do know your Cobb postcards. I would never have noticed these being different until seeing them in the same post. Thanks for sharing, very cool.

[Bicem]

Very cool! Did not know there were two versions as well.

[MVSNYC]

When you say different drivers...looks to me like Cobb and the other guy in the front just switch seats...same 4 passengers, no?

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by MVSNYC

When you say different drivers...looks to me like Cobb and the other guy in the front just switch seats...same 4 passengers, no?

I agree, and I imagine they got used for promotion of the company, so the big wig had to get one behind the wheel too.

[calvindog]

Originally Posted by MVSNYC

When you say different drivers...looks to me like Cobb and the other guy in the front just switch seats...same 4 passengers, no?

Yes, identical postcards other than Cobb switching seats with the car rep.

[Jobu]

I am pretty sure that the other driver is Barney Oldfield, probably the most famous race car driver of the early 20th century.

[Bicem]

Wonder if Cobb traded in his Brush Runabout?

[Harford20]

Originally Posted by Jobu

I am pretty sure that the other driver is Barney Oldfield, probably the most famous race car driver of the early 20th century.

Jobu, very biased here (as he is a direct relative of mine), but when talking AAA sanctioned races, Ray Harroun was as famous if not more than Oldfield from 1905-1911. Oldfield was a speed daredevil, no question unmatched here, but was often banned from big-track racing.

Dave

[insidethewrapper]

If you look carefully you can see Cobb with a "Ty Cobb back" tobacco card.

[brob28]

I assume that is the same Davy Jones that played with Cobb? If so, any idea why he is included here?

[sb1]

According to the SGC pop report their are only three graded examples of the Matheson Silent Six Postcard with Cobb and others, which includes both poses of drivers.

I am pleased to say that I will have the third example, an SGC 50 in my upcoming auction, should any of you have an interest. Just a heads up, the auction starts Jan 22nd.

[Yoda]

Originally Posted by Harford20

Jobu, very biased here (as he is a direct relative of mine), but when talking AAA sanctioned races, Ray Harroun was as famous if not more than Oldfield from 1905-1911. Oldfield was a speed daredevil, no question unmatched here, but was often banned from big-track racing.

Dave

I believe one of Oldfield's proudest moments is when he beat boxer Jack Johnson in a close mano a mano auto race; it was a near thing but Barney pulled it out at the finish.

[Bicem]

Dibs.

[BeanTown]

Originally Posted by Bicem

Dibs.

Ok, ill be the under bidder then

[Michael Peich]

And I'll be the under-under bidder!

Cheers, Mike

[BeanTown]

Lets get this party started, closes tonight!

[Jobu]

An addition to this thread. The original mounted photo for the postcard with Oldfield driving, which was owned by Cobb. (9" x 11" mount, 6" x 8" photo)

[Rhotchkiss]

Awesome Bryan

[GeoPoto]

I don't mean to take sides regarding who was more famous, but when Walter Johnson took one of his first paychecks, bought a "high performance" car, and promptly got pulled over for speeding, the nick-name that he was given by his teammates, which stuck for life ("Big Train" wasn't coined until much later in his career), was "Barney". Perhaps only because it has a more distinct ring to it than "Ray".

Originally Posted by Harford20

Jobu, very biased here (as he is a direct relative of mine), but when talking AAA sanctioned races, Ray Harroun was as famous if not more than Oldfield from 1905-1911. Oldfield was a speed daredevil, no question unmatched here, but was often banned from big-track racing.

Dave

[Jobu]

Thanks Ryan!

And thanks for sharing that George, I didn't know that was the origin of that nickname for Walter. My dad tells me that my grandfather also used to call my uncle and him Barney back when they first started driving.

Originally Posted by Rhotchkiss

Awesome Bryan

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Jobu

An addition to this thread. The original mounted photo for the postcard with Oldfield driving, which was owned by Cobb. (9" x 11" mount, 6" x 8" photo)

That really is a great photo!

.

[Hankphenom]

What a great thread, just what makes this forum so cool. (Apart from Leon, of course!) Fabulous pieces, Jeff and Bryan. Johnson was tagged "The Big Train" in 1915 by an obscure D.C. sportswriter named Stanley Milliken.

[Jobu]

I don't know why, but I always assumed that Barney was a nickname from Walter's younger days. Fun that he picked it up mid-career and it stuck!