Ty Cobb Card Price Guide: Tobacco, Caramel, Cabinets, & Strip Cards 1907-1933
Discover the value of Every Single Ty Cobb Baseball Card
The name Ty Cobb is synonymous with aggression, desire, and success. He was also quite possibly the most feared player of the dead ball era. No one knew exactly what he would do what he got on base. The only thing for sure was the next base was his. It was this determination which lead to his induction to the baseball hall of fame's inaugural class in 1936. He career stretched from 1905 to 1928 and finished with a career batting average of .367, 4189 hits, 897 stolen bases, and 1933 RBIs. He also hit over .400 in 3 different seasons.
"The base paths belonged to me, the runner. The rules gave me the right. I always went into a bag full speed, feet first. I had sharp spikes on my shoes. If he baseman stood where he had no business to be and got hurt, that was his fault" Ty Cobb
Ty Cobb is one of the most sought after players to collect from the pre-war era. Here are some of the most collected and valuable playing days Ty Cobb cards:
1902-11 W600 Sporting Life Cabinet Ty Cobb
While W600 Sporting Life cabinets were issued over a period of many years (1902-1911), Ty Cobb was issued in 1907, his rookie year. It holds the distinction as the single most important cards within this landmark set. This cabinet is one of the rarest and most majestic of all Ty Cobb cards. The image of Cobb used on the W600s is also noteworthy, as it features the same pose as the popular T206 portrait cards (both red and green backgrounds). This Cabinet is widely regarded as Ty Cobb's true rookie card.
Card Value: PSA 2 (2020 auction): $300,00
1909 Colgan's Chips Ty Cobb
The Colgan's Chips set features players images (along with name and team) on small circular discs. These were distributed in small gum tins. There are many Hall of Famers in the set but Ty Cobb is the key player.
1909 E90-1 American Caramel Ty Cobb
In 1909, American Caramel released the E90-1 set, which consisted of 120 cards. Fronts showcase an artists rendering of the player in beautiful water colors. This early career Cobb candy card is extremely collectible.
Card Value: low grade $750 to $1,5000, mid grade $2,000 to $3,500, high grade $5,000+
Card Value: low grade $2,500 to $5,000, mid grade $7,500 to $15,000, high grade $25,000+
1909-1911 T206 White Border Tobacco Cards
Ty Cobb was heavily featured on what is is arguable the most important and popular pre-war set of tobacco cards; 1909-11 White Border T206. Inserted in packs of tobacco, kids of the era were thrilled to find 4 different poses of Cobb. All 4 are visually stunning. The most common of the 4 is the "red portrait". The "green portrait" uses the same image but is rarer and typically is the most valuable pose. The "bat on" pose features a yellow background and image of Cobb holding his bat on his left shoulder. Finally, the "bat off" pose shows Cobb looking off into the distance with his bat off his shoulder. The background appears to show green grass, a stadium, and the sky at sunset. To make collecting even more challenging, the backs of the cards have different advertisements. 37 different backs, to be exact, including Piedmont, Sweet Caporal, Polar Bear, Sovereign, Hindu, Cycle, just to name a few. Prices below are listed for common backs.
T206 Red Portrait Ty Cobb
Card Value: low grade $2,000 to $6,000, mid grade $8,000-$15,000, high grade $25,000+
T206 Bat On Shoulder Ty Cobb
Card Value: low grade $2,000 to $6,000, mid grade $8,000-$15,000, high grade $25,000+
T206 Green Portrait Ty Cobb
Card Value: low grade $3,000 to $10,000, mid grade $8,000-$20,000, high grade $125,000+
T206 Bat Off Shoulder Ty Cobb
Card Value: low grade $2,000 to $6,000, mid grade $8,000-$15,000, high grade $35,000+
1909 E101 Set of 50 Ty Cobb
This beautiful set features a full color artist rendering of each player along with player name, position, and team. The backs do not contains an advertisement, so it is unclear which company released them. The Cobb card features him leaning on his bat with a bright yellow background.
Card Value: low grade $6,000 to $10,000, mid grade $15,000+ ,high grade $50,000+
1910 E103 Williams Caramel Ty Cobb
This rare set contains 30 different cards including Cobb, Wagner, and Mathewson. The fronts contain a mostly black and white close up portrait with a bright red background, while the backs are blank. On the bottom border is the player's name, position, team, and set manufacturer. The paper used is extremely thin and fragile. PSA has only graded ~25 Ty Cobbs from the E103 set.
Card Value: low grade $4,000 to $10,000, mid grade $15,000 to $40,000, high grade $75,000+
1909 E95 Philadelphia Caramel Ty Cobb
The E95 set was released by the Philadelphia Carmel Company and features 25 cards. Each card contains a full color image on the front and a checklist on the back. Cobb, Wagner, and Mathewson are included. The Cobb card contains a close up portrait of Cobb with a dark red backdrop.
Card Value: low grade $2,500 to $8,000, mid grade $10,000 to $20,000, high grade $30,000+
1911 T3 Turkey Red Cabinet
Ty Cobb
Turkey Red Cabinet cards are larger than normal cards, as they were a premium issue not packaged with packs of tobacco. In order for collectors to obtain this issue, one had to send in 10 coupons from Turkey Red brand cigarettes, or 25 coupons of Polar Bear or Fez brand cigarettes. This is considered by many to be one Ty Cobb's most beautiful cards, as it looks more like a painting. The bright colors and detail make this set impossible to miss.
Card Value: low grade $3,000 to $10,000, mid grade $20,000-$50,000, high grade $100,000+
1910 E93 Standard Caramel Ty Cobb
The E93 set is one of the more popular caramel releases. It contains 30 different players, each with a black and white action shot and a full color background. The Cobb card shows him fully extended making a catch with his glove. The bright orange background makes this card stand out.
Card Value: low grade $3,000 to $5,000, mid grade $10,00 to $20,000, high grade $50,000+
1911 T205 Gold Border Ty Cobb
Another highly important and desirable set from packs of tobacco, the T205 stands out immediately due to the gold flaked borders and baseball diamond design. Of course Ty Cobb is one of the most desirable cards in the set. Higher grade examples are tough to come by, as the gold borders typically show chipping and flaking very easily.
Card Value: low grade $2,500 to $6,000, mid grade $8,000 to $12,000, high grade $15,000+
1911 D304 General Baking Ty Cobb
The D304 General Baking set was distributed to advertise bakeries. Fronts showcase a full color image of the player with bright backgrounds. The players name and team is listed below. Backs contain one of 5 different bakery ads. The set is anchored by Cobb, Wagner, Mathewson, and Young. The Cobb is extremely valuable and sought after.
Card Value: low grade $10,000 to $30,000, mid grade $50,000 to $75,000, high grade $90,000+
1911 M110 Sporting Life Cabinet Ty Cobb
The M110 cabinet cards are similar to Turkey Reds both in size and design, but much rarer. Designed to promote the Sporting Life magazine, only 6 different players are featured in the set- all major Hall of Famers. Fronts feature a pastel water color type image with a gold name plate at the bottom. Backs contain an advertisement for Sporting Life. The Ty Cobb card is the most valuable in the 6 card run.
Card Value: low grade $7,000 to $20,000, mid grade $75,000+, high grade $100,000+
1911 T201 Mecca Double Folders Cobb/Crawford
T201 Mecca Double Folders were distributed with Mecca cigarettes. They have a very unique design, with each card containing 2 players. A full length player is on the front, and the back contiains the top half of another, which can be flipped over. High grade cards are tough to find, as many cards were folder over, as was intended by the manufacturer. Ty Cobb shares a card with fellow Tigers Hall of Famer Sam Crawford. Cobb appearing on the back of the card.
Card Value: low grade $500 to $750, mid grade $1,000 to $2,000, high grade $3,000+
1911 E94 George Close Candy Ty Cobb
The E94 George Close candy set closely resembles several other caramel card sets, but the back of the card reveals a checklist of 30 cards. Backs also typically contain one of about 10 different stamps placed on the pack advertising the candy brand. The Ty Cobb cards are particularly interesting, as they were printed with multiple different colored backgrounds (orange, green, yellow, purple teal, red)
Card Value: low grade $15,000 to $25,000, mid grade $30,000+, high grade $50,000+
1911 M116 Sporting Life Blue/Pastel
The M116 set was released by the magazine "Sporting Life". They were sold in 12 card lots in 24 different series. Cards come in pastel and blue backgrounds, with blue being rarer. This set contains over 300 players including Cobb, Wagner, Mathewson, Young, and Speaker. The Cobb card, especially the blue, is tough to find, especially in higher grade.
Card Value (blue): low grade $3,000 to $12,000, mid grade $15,000 to $25,000, high grade $30,000+
Card Value (pastel): low grade $2,000 to $4,000, mid grade $5,000 to $8,000, high grade $10,000+
1911 S74 Silks Ty Cobb
The S74 Silk set was issued as premiums for several tobacco brands of the day. The images appear on a silk like material rather than cardboard. The images used are the same ones found in the T205 set. Silks came as either "white" or "colored". "Colored" silks were available in many different colors, creating many different variations for each player. The set is anchored by Cobb, Johnson, and Mathewson. The Cobb silk is the most valuable issue in the set.
Card Value: low grade $2,000 to $4,000, mid grade $5,000 to $7,500, high grade $20,000+
1912 T202 Hassan Triple Folders Ty Cobb
T202 Hassan Triple Folders are a very unique set, with each card featuring a black and white action scene panel, flanked by two individual fully colorized player cards. The player panels look very similar to T205s. These cards were printed with multiple combinations of middle panels and players. Ty Cobb is present in 6 different versions.
1912 T227 Series Of Champions Ty Cobb
The T227 set showcases stars from multiple sports, such as baseball, boxing, golf, etc. 4 cards featured baseball players and none are bigger than Ty Cobb. The front features a beautiful full color Ty Cobb with a brightly colored background behind him. His name is featured in the top right corner. Backs contain a player bio and small advertisement for tobacco.
1912-13 T215 Red Cross Ty Cobb
At first glance this would appear to be a T206 card, but a closer look reveals Cobbs name & team in bright blue color (as opposed to black). The back is the other give away; an advertisement for Red Cross Tobacco. This set was released after the T206 set but many of the same images were reused. The backs state there are 100 different cards. The Cobb bat off and red portrait are included in this set. Each are extremely rare and valuable.
Card Value: low grade $750 to $2,000, mid grade $3,000 to $5,000, high grade $7,000+
1914 & 1915 E145 Cracker Jack Ty Cobb #30
1914 and 1915 Cracker Jack cards are extremely popular with collectors. The striking red background stand out when compared to other issues. All baseball fans know the popular song "Take me out to the ballgame" and of course the line "Buy me some peanuts and cracker jacks". No other set can be more tied to that song since these cards were actually included inside the box of Cracker Jacks. Ty Cobb, along with Joe Jackson, are the key cards in this series. It is not uncommon to see caramel stains on the front and back of the cards. 1914 is known to be harder to find, as the 1915 set had an option to redeem the entire set through redemption, thus not exposing the cards to the candy. To determine if a card is from 1914 or 1915, turn the card around. If the biography is upside down it is from 1915. 1914 cards have the bio in same direction of the front image.
Card Value (1914): low grade $20,000 to $30,000, mid grade $50,000 to $75,000, high grade $250,000+
Card Value (1915): low grade $15,000 to $25,000, mid grade $40,000 to $60,000, high grade $100,000+
1916 Tango Egg Ty Cobb
Not much is known about this set. It was initially discovered in 1991 and the checklist shows 21 cards. It is known that it was produced by L Frank & Co. of New Orleans to promote Tango Eggs. The most valuable cards in the set are Cobb and Wagner. They are exceeding rare; PSA has only graded 1 Ty Cobb.
Card Value: PSA 2 (auction 2019): $66,000
1920 W516 Strip Card Ty Cobb
This 1920 strip card set contains 30 cards. The fronts of cards feature a primitive cartoon drawing with a red background. Each image is boxed in with a thin black line. This set includes Cobb, Ruth, and Johnson. The Ty Cobb features him getting ready to field a ball.
Card Value: low grade $500 to $1,500, mid grade $2,000 to $3,500, high grade $5,000+
Card Value: low grade $5,000 to $15,000, mid grade $30,000+, high grade $50,000+
1916/17 Boston Store Ty Cobb #30
This Boston Store set was produced for the department store which had locations throughout the midwest. The 200 card set was used as a promotional tool. The set shares images from a few other releases but have the "Boston Store" advertisement on the back. The key cards in the set are Cobb, Ruth and Jackson. The Cobb card feature Ty posing for a picture with the bat on his shoulder. This set is quite rare, with PSA having only graded 6 Cobbs ever.
Card Value: low grade $15,000+ mid & up, no sales, likely $100,000+
1916 M101-4 Sporting News Ty Cobb #38
This set of cards was released by the Sporting News as a way to promote its' magazine. 200 players were part of this release. Fronts include a sepia photo (not artist rendering) with the player's name, position, team, and card number. This set is loaded with star power; Cobb, Ruth, Jackson, Wagner, and Johnson are present. The Cobb card features him about the lay down a patented bunt.
Card Value: very few sales, low grade likely $10,000+
Card Value: low grade $3,000 to $5,000, mid grade $7,500 to $12,000, high grade $20,000+
1917-1920 M101-6 Felix Mendelsohn Ty Cobb
The M101-6 set was released as a promotion for the Sporting News. 108 cards were produced by sports photographer Felix Mendelsohn, and the set is loaded with top end talent, including Cobb, Ruth, Jackson, and Johnson. Fronts showcase a black and white photograph with the player's name, team, and position on the bottom. The backs are blank. PSA has only graded about 100 examples of this set in total, including 4 Cobbs.
Card Value: low grade $7,500 to $15,000, mid grade $20,000 to $40,000, high grade $50,000+
1921 W551 Strip Card Ty Cobb
The 1921 strip set looks very similar to the W514 set, with the exact same Cobb image being re-used. The colors used appear slightly duller than the original. This set is only 10 cards, headlined by Cobb, Ruth, and Johnson.
Card Value: low grade $300 to $750, mid grade $900 to $1,300, high grade $2,500+
1919-21 W514 Strip Card Ty Cobb
The W514 set contains 120 different cards. Fronts have a crudely drawn cartoon like drawing on the front, along with the player's name, position, and team. Backs are blank. Cards were released in strips at local stores and cut individual cards. The checklist includes many Hall of Famers, such as Cobb, Ruth, Jackson, and Johnson. The Ty Cobb card features him about to lay down a bunt, with a bright blue background.
Card Value: low grade $400 to $7500, mid grade $800 to $1200, high grade $1,500+
1921 E253 Oxford Confectionary Ty Cobb
The Oxford Confectionary set was believed to be released in 1921 and contains 20 big leaguers. The fronts of cards have a portrait style black and white photograph with the player's name and team on the bottom. Backs contain an advertisement and checklist. The set is headlined by Cobb, Ruth, and Johnson. The Ty Cobb card shows a smirking Cobb in full uniform.
Card Value: low grade $1,500 to $2,500, mid grade $3,000 to $5,000, high grade $7,5000+
1921 E121 American Caramel Ty Cobb
The 1921 E121 set consists of 80 players. Each card front has a black and white photograph and the player's name, position, and team at the bottom. Backs contain an ad for American Caramel. Cobb, Johnson, and Speaker are the highlights of the set. The Cobb card features him following through after making a throw.
1922 E121 American Caramel Ty Cobb
The 1922 version of E121 is very similar to the 1921 release, except this set has 120 players. Fronts are also very similar, with black and white photographs being used. The other big change from the previous year is the inclusion of Babe Ruth. Ty Cobb actually has 2 different cards in the set, with a batting and throwing version.
1922 V61 Neilson's Chocolate Ty Cobb
The Neilson's Chocolate set closely resembles the 1922 E121 set, with some images being re-used. One big difference is the intricate bat, ball, and glove border added. Cards were printed on very thin paper stock, so high grade cards are very tough to come by. The set is anchored by Cobb and Ruth.
Card Value: low grade $1,000 to $2,000, mid grade $2,500 to $3,500, high grade $4,000+
Card Value: low grade $1,000 to $2,000, mid grade $2,500 to $3,500, high grade $4,000+
Card Value: low grade $1,000 to $1,500, mid grade $2,00 to $3,000, high grade $4,000+
1922 V89 Wm. Patterson Ty Cobb #46
This set was released by William Patterson, a candy maker from Canada. Fronts have a black and white photo boxed in by a thin black border. Below the image is the player's name, team, card number, and advertisement. Backs are blank. The Ty Cobb card features him posing in a batting stance with a bat. PSA has only graded 8 examples of this card.
Card Value: PSA 6 (auction 2020): $10,200
1926 W512 Strip Card Ty Cobb
1923 W515-1 Strip Card Ty Cobb
The 1923 W515-1 strip card set contains 60 cards, and the design looks slightly different compared with the previous years. The colorful artwork was based on wire photos from Underwood and Underwood. Cards were released in 6 strips of 10 cards. The set is highlighted by Cobb, 2 different Ruths, and Johnson, among others. The Cobb card shows him from the waist up with a menacing look on his face.
Card Value: low grade $250 to $400, mid grade $500 to $700, high grade $800+
The W512 series contained 60 cards of different professional athletes and movies stars, 11 of which are baseball players. Fronts feature a very cartoonish drawing of the person with their name, position and team on the bottom. The baseball portion of the set is anchored by Cobb, Ruth, Speaker, and Hornsby. Cards were printed on very thin paper stock, making high grade examples difficult to obtain.
Card Value: low grade $500 to $750, mid grade $800 to $1,200, high grade $1,500+
1932 U.S. Caramel Ty Cobb #14
The 1932 U.S. Caramel set is another multi-sport release, with 32 athletes from baseball, boxing and golf being depicted. Cards contain a close up shot of the player with a vivid red background. The players name is included as well. Backs feature a player biography plus advertisement for U.S. Caramel. Highlights of the set include Cobb, Ruth, Gehrig, and Foxx. Despite retiring from baseball in 1929, Cobb was included in this set. In his card, an older Cobb glaring back at the person holding the card.
Card Value: low grade $1,500 to $3,000, mid grade $4,000 to $7,000, high grade $15,000+
1933 Goudey Sport Kings Ty Cobb #1
The 1933 Goudey Sport Kings set is another multi-sport release. The 48 card set features athletes from baseball, football, golf, boxing, and tennis, and others. The cards look similar to the 1933 Goudey baseball set, except this set has a red banner on the top border stating "Sport Kings Gum". The bottom contains a black bar with the players name. Backs contain a bio and advertisement. The key cards in the set are Cobb, Ruth, Grange, and Thorpe. The Cobb card features an older looking Cobb in a blank white uniform.
Card Value: low grade $1000 to $2,000, mid grade $3,000 to $5,000, high grade $10,000+
Ty Cobb Checklist
1902-11 W600 Sporting Life Cabinet rookie
1909 Colgan's Chips
1909 E90-1 American Caramel
1909-11 T206 White Border Red Portrait
1909-11 T206 White Border Green Portrait
1909-11 T206 White Border Bat On Shoulder
1909-11 T206 White Border Bat Off Shoulder
1909 E101 Set of 50
1909 E95 Philadelphia Caramel
1910 E93 Standard Caramel
1910 E103 Williams Caramel
1911 T3 Turkey Red Cabinet
1911 T205 Gold Border
1911 D304 General Baking
1911 T201 Mecca Double Folder (Crawford//Cobb)
1911 M116 Sporting Life Blue background
1911 M116 Sporting Life Pastel background
1911 M110 Sporting Life Cabinet
1911 E94 George Close Candy
1911 S74 Silk
1912 T202 Hassan Triple Folders
1912 T227 Series of Champions
1912-13 T215 Red Cross
1914 Cracker Jack #30
1915 Cracker Jack #30
1916/17 Boston Store #30
1916 M101-4 Sporting News #38
1916 Tango Eggs
1917-20 M101-6 Felix Mendelsohn
1919-21 W514 Strip Card
1920 W516 Strip Card
1921 W551 Strip Card
1921 E252 Oxford Confectionary
1921 E121 American Caramel
1922 E121 American Caramel Batting
1922 E121 American Caramel Throwing
1922 V61 Neilson's Chocolate
1922 V89 William Patterson #46
1923 W515-1 Strip Card
1926 W512 Strip Card
1932 U.S. Caramel #14
1933 Goudey Sport Kings #1