Does anyone actually have any interest in something like this?

[dstudeba]

What was the historical significance of this bat that was cut up?

[barrysloate]

Since this is a vintage baseball card chatboard, and most of the people posting here have a much greater appreciation for cards than for game used bats, let me pose a hypothetical question:

Suppose Upper Deck bought a T206 Wagner at auction, cut it into fifty pieces, and inserted each one of those tiny cardboard squares randomly into packs. Maybe some lucky collector would end up with the eyes, or some of the orange background, or the "WAG" of his name. Would anybody who supported the notion that it was okay to destroy the bat feel differently about decimating the holy grail?

[T206Collector]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

Suppose Upper Deck bought a T206 Wagner at auction, cut it into fifty pieces, and inserted each one of those tiny cardboard squares randomly into packs. . . . Would anybody who supported the notion that it was okay to destroy the bat feel differently about decimating the holy grail?

The bats, jerseys, etc. that have thus far been more equivalent to a T206 Cobb than a T206 Wagner. And as much as I love T206 cards, if you want to cut up a T206 Red Portrait Cobb, be my guest.

I think the turning point is "historical significance" and there is just no evidence to me that this Cobb-used bat has much historical significance.

[barrysloate]

Wouldn't a bat used by Ty Cobb (assuming he did use it), have as much significance to a bat collector as a rare baseball card would have to a baseball card collector? I don't see the difference.

[T206Collector]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

Wouldn't a bat used by Ty Cobb (assuming he did use it), have as much significance to a bat collector as a rare baseball card would have to a baseball card collector? I don't see the difference.

Sure -- but not the T206 Wagner. Even the bat collector trades his best bat for one.

[slidekellyslide]

Originally Posted by T206Collector

The bats, jerseys, etc. that have thus far been more equivalent to a T206 Cobb than a T206 Wagner. And as much as I love T206 cards, if you want to cut up a T206 Red Portrait Cobb, be my guest.

I think the turning point is "historical significance" and there is just no evidence to me that this Cobb-used bat has much historical significance.

There are far more T206 Cobb's than there are Cobb game used bats. I may be totally wrong here so please don't unleash the Spanish Inquisition on me, but there may even be more T206 Wagner's than certified Ty Cobb gamers.

[barrysloate]

T206 Collector- you are splitting hairs here. It's not about whether a bat collector would trade his best bat for a Wagner. It's about having respect for rare collectibles, and recognizing it's tacky and inappropriate to destroy them to make a few bucks. That's really the last I can say about it. I'm pooped!

[T206Collector]

Originally Posted by slidekellyslide

There are far more T206 Cobb's than there are Cobb game used bats. I may be totally wrong here so please don't unleash the Spanish Inquisition on me, but there may even be more T206 Wagner's than certified Ty Cobb gamers.

Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition! Our chief weapon is surprise...surprise and fear...fear and surprise.... Our two weapons are fear and surprise...and ruthless efficiency.... Our *three* weapons are fear, surprise, and ruthless efficiency...and an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope.... Our *four*...no... *Amongst* our weapons.... Amongst our weaponry...are such elements as fear, surprise....

And I'm not splitting hairs. You can't equate the T206 Wagner with a game-used Cobb bat. If you could then why hasn't Upper Deck cut one up yet? It would be much easier -- you could use a scissors.

[slidekellyslide]

Historical significance is in the eye of the beholder. A game used Ty Cobb bat is coveted by those that collect game used bats, there really is no difference in cutting up a Cobb gamer, T206 Wagner, Action Comics #1, the upside down airplane stamp...or any other "holy grail" type collectible. It is abhorrent behavior to destroy an item like that.

[T206Collector]

Originally Posted by slidekellyslide

Historical significance is in the eye of the beholder.

Exactly.

[mark evans]

I have no interest in the card but am not offended by it. I accept that there exist historically significant items that should be preserved, but a baseball bat doesn't rise to that level for me. Mark

[perezfan]

Originally Posted by T206Collector

The bats, jerseys, etc. that have thus far been more equivalent to a T206 Cobb than a T206 Wagner. And as much as I love T206 cards, if you want to cut up a T206 Red Portrait Cobb, be my guest.

I think the turning point is "historical significance" and there is just no evidence to me that this Cobb-used bat has much historical significance.

ANY Ty Cobb Game-used Bat (if authentic) carries historical significance. And for the record, the number of surviving Ty Cobb Game-used Bats is far closer to a T206 Wagner than to a T206 Cobb (it's not even close).

I own a couple of T206 Cobbs, but will never own a couple of his game-used bats... or even one, for that matter (barring lottery winnings or some other miracle).

[bijoem]

I personally like the modern relic cards (football mostly).

but.... leave the old stuff alone.

[Wesley]

Originally Posted by dstudeba

What was the historical significance of this bat that was cut up?

There is nothing historically significant about that bat in particular. The high price estimate is due to the fact that it has the etched signature part of the bat. Modern insert cards with Cobb bat swatches can be found on ebay for as low as $100.

If a youngster gets a kick out of ripping open a pack of cards and finding a card with a piece of a bat, then that is great. If the youngster sees a deceased player on a card, and decides to read up on Cobb and turn of the century baseball, then even better. I'm all for anything that creates excitement for new collectors.

[quinnsryche]

Originally Posted by Wesley

There is nothing historically significant about that bat in particular. The high price estimate is due to the fact that it has the etched signature part of the bat. Modern insert cards with Cobb bat swatches can be found on ebay for as low as $100.

If a youngster gets a kick out of ripping open a pack of cards and finding a card with a piece of a bat, then that is great. If the youngster sees a deceased player on a card, and decides to read up on Cobb and turn of the century baseball, then even better. I'm all for anything that creates excitement for new collectors.

Well put!