This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/12/2024
While considered "baseball adjacent" to traditionalists that stick to paper and fabric that can be slabbed in a PSA holder, many vintage collectors really have an affinity for the famed L1 Leather series, as well they should, because they're just so beautiful. Offered is without question one of the most esoteric collectibles of the tobacco era, depicting the legendary Hall of Famer Ty Cobb in the same pose used for the iconic T3 Turkey Red set and S81 Silks, which only makes sense since L1 leathers were made available as part of the same promotion; a mail-in exchange for coupons packaged with Helmar "Turkish Trophies" brand tobacco. Ten coupons were needed to get a T3, twenty-five coupons for an S81 silk, and fifty coupons were required to obtain an L1 Leather, which explains why they are so much more elusive than the other two. Of course, the key to the series is none other than "The Georgia Peach", making it one of the rarest and most desirable of all Ty Cobb tobacco issues. The featured example is the finest we've ever had the pleasure to offer, with the usual pinholes at the edges that are commonplace with L1s. The cowhide on L1's almost always exhibits significant but honest wear with some light creasing and/or wrinkling, but this example rises above that with the identifiable image of "The Georgia Peach" coming through in extraordinary bold and unfettered fashion. Seldom offered in any condition, this is an item wanted by many, yet obtained by few, and matched in quality by virtually none!