Cobb's RC

[CaramelMan]

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

[calvindog]

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:

[ullmandds]

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

[pkaufman]

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".

[h2oya311]

Originally Posted by CaramelMan

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

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

[Leon]

Originally Posted by h2oya311

What about E107? Is that not the first caramel set??

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

[h2oya311]

Originally Posted by Leon

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".

[ullmandds]

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

[terjung]

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.

[Vintageclout]

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.