A full Ty Cobb uniform believed to have been worn in 1922 sold for $385,500 at auction on Friday afternoon. Just four Cobb uniforms are known to exist. The uniform was part of a large live auction conducted by Heritage Auctions in Dallas. The final price includes a buyer’s premium.
Like most game-used equipment and apparel, the Cobb uniform was sent to the minor leagues the 1922 season, and it is from the family of the player who wore it there that the uniform originated. The heavy grey flannel jersey underwent changes before 1923. First, the classic Old English letter “D” was re,pved from the chest. Next, the jersey’s tail was trimmed but, fortuitously, retained by the ballplayer due to the embroidered “Cobb” attribution located there.
The advanced collector who tracked down the uniform decided to restore the jersey to its original state.
Other items sold in the auction included a high grade autographed baseball featuring autographs from Joe Jackson and Cy Young ($77,675), the 1925 PGA Championship medal issued to golf legend Walter Hagen ($77,675), a 1966-68 Mickey Mantle game-used home jersey ($47,800), a 1933 Goudey Nap Lajoie graded SGC 84 ($41,825), a 923 Christy Mathewson signed baseball ($41,825) and a 1959 Mickey Mantle game-used All-Star bat ($41,825).
