This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/2/2021
Outside of the typical baseball card or a few select advertising pieces, there isn't a more recognized piece of baseball Americana to vintage collectors than the 1910 "A Fan for a Fan" series, perhaps the greatest stadium offering ever produced. While the issue included examples of Christy Mathewson, Hal Chase, and Larry Doyle, the most coveted issue of the series is the fan of legendary hitter Ty Cobb. The fan features a full-color portrait of Cobb, his image laid upon a baseball motif with the legend "A Fan for a Fan" arcing above and facsimile autograph below to complete the presentation. The striking design and colorful graphics place the "Fan" series among the most brilliant and attractive of all early baseball issues, and the Cobb entry lives up to the greatness of its subject. A 10 7/8" wooden original handle, attached to the back of the 7-1/2"-diameter fan to enable waving in the stands, extends 4-1/2" beyond the artifact's lower edge. The item has had discreet professional restoration in the form of color touches and a degree of "strengthening" added to a heavy crease along the reverse top portion as well as through the middle of the item that does not diminish the visual appeal. There is some staining along the lower right portion on the reverse that isn't noticeable from the front. Display quality is EX/MT (with a note to the aforementioned professional restoration) and the fan has been spared the residual effects of adhesion or mounting that have befallen most of its very few contemporaries. A stunning and altogether attractive collectible that is as inspiring as any item we have offered.