In this feature, we hear from Jon Felz, an expert appraiser from RZM Fine Arts & Antiques, who provides valuable insights on evaluating prized possessions. Have something you're curious about having appraised? Reach out to Jon for a chance to have your items featured in a future "Ask the Appraiser" column.
Note to Appraiser:
Jon, we recently found this small card in my father’s old cigar box while cleaning out his home. To me, it appears too small to be an actual baseball card — it measures only 2½ inches tall. However, it does have “COBB” printed on it, and the back features a cigarette advertisement. I had never seen it before and wasn’t even aware my father owned it.
Can you tell me exactly what this card is, what it was used for and whether it has any value? Or should I simply dispose of it? The only reason I didn’t throw it away is because of your column. Reading your articles got me thinking, so here it is for your opinion. Thank you for your time.
— Gene S., River Vale
Appraisal Response:
Gene, let me begin by thanking you for reading this column. It gives me even greater satisfaction to know that you did not “just dispose of it.”
The card you have is known in the trade as a T206 tobacco card, produced between 1909 and 1911 by the American Tobacco Co. This set featured 524 colorful lithographed baseball players, each paired with various tobacco brand advertisements printed on the reverse. You are correct, these cards were originally created as advertising pieces.
While tobacco cards were produced with a variety of themes — including animals and flowers — it is the baseball cards that are most highly sought after by collectors.
Your specific card depicts Tyrus Raymond Cobb (1886–1961), better known as “The Georgia Peach.” Cobb was a Major League Baseball center fielder who played 24 seasons, all but two with the Detroit Tigers. Known for his fierce competitiveness, Cobb finished his career with a .366 lifetime batting average, still the highest in baseball history. He held the all-time hit record with 4,191 hits until it was broken by Pete Rose in 1985 and the stolen base record with 892 steals until 1977. Cobb is also a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame.
A T206 card featuring Cobb — considered the greatest player of the Dead Ball Era (1900–1920) — is a significant find. Having examined hundreds of these cards over the years, I can say there are certain pieces that never lose their ability to impress, and this is one of them.
There are four versions of the T206 Ty Cobb card. Yours is known as the “Portrait Red” variation. Based on the photographs you provided, the card displays an exceptionally clean red background, bright white borders and strong centering, all critical factors in determining value. The print quality on this example is excellent.
T206 cards are graded on a scale of 1 to 10, with higher grades commanding higher values. I strongly recommend submitting this card to a professional third-party grading service. I would be happy to provide guidance on that process.
If your card were to receive a grade of 5, its estimated value would be approximately $20,000. Yes — three zeros. Should it grade higher, the value could reach six figures.
This is precisely why professional grading and encapsulation are essential to making the card marketable.
Gene, you truly hit this one out of the park. Congratulations.
Jon Felz - Senior Appraiser
RZM Fine Arts & Antiques, Inc.
Address: 132 Dexter Avenue, Pearl River, NY
Phone: 845-735-1313
Email: rzmantique@aol.com