MINT State Presents “The Lucky 7 Legacy”

Myrtle Beach, SC -- (ReleaseWire) -- 03/15/2018 -- Some guys have all the luck.

MINT State, a PSA Authorized Dealer specializing in rare, high-grade sports cards, presented in March, 2016 what was quite possibly the single greatest sports card discovery of all-time: The Lucky 7 Find. The 1909-11 T206 White Border Ty Cobb red background portrait variation featuring the "Ty Cobb Tobacco" back, with only 15 known examples at the time, is by far the rarest of the set's various tobacco brand backs. Rick Snyder, owner of MINT State, was contacted by a family going through their great-grandparents' dilapidated house in a rural southern town. Seven Ty Cobb baseball cards were found on the floor, face down at the bottom of a torn paper bag. All seven cards featured a reverse design, commonly referred to as the Ty Cobb back, which proclaimed Cobb to be the "King of the Smoking Tobacco World."

By April, 2017, Snyder had sold all seven cards using MINT State's direct sales method, yielding a staggering total of approximately three million dollars. The Lucky 7 Find received national media coverage, and the publicity surrounding it benefitted the entire hobby. Confirming treasures are still out there waiting to be discovered, it was the equivalent of a winning lottery ticket for a typical American family. Remarkably, the story doesn't end here.

When the seven Cobbs were found in 2016, the family focused all of their attention on the cards due to their extraordinary value. When they resumed the cleanup of that old house, they were very thorough and found an eighth T206 Ty Cobb card with the Ty Cobb back sandwiched between two dirty, faded books. As in The Lucky 7 Find, the eye appeal of this eighth Cobb card is exceptional with rich colors and virtually no tobacco staining.

The family has completed the task of cleaning out the house and assured Snyder no other Cobbs or other valuable collectibles were left to be discovered. Unlike the first seven cards from the original find, they intend to keep the eighth and last of the Cobbs as a family heirloom. Snyder advised his clients it was in their best interest to have Professional Sports Authenticator grade and encapsulate the card to maximize its value and for insurance purposes. Recently graded Good 2, this Ty Cobb card with Ty Cobb back is tied with three others as the eighth highest PSA-graded example. According to the family, "We are incredibly blessed and grateful to have found another card. This is unbelievable. We would have never thought this would happen once, much less twice. It is an incredible feeling!"

About MINT State
MINT State is a PSA Authorized Dealer of vintage sports and non-sport cards. Utilizing an extensive network of dealers, private collectors, and other sellers for the millions of dollars in collectibles we sell each year, MINT State has assisted with many of the finest collections ever assembled. The most famous of these collections is quite possibly the single greatest sports card discovery of all-time, The Lucky 7 Find.

Established in 2002 and in its 17th year of full-time operation, MINT State purchases single items or entire collections, and offers a consignment package as an alternative to outright purchase. For more information, please visit MINTStateInc.com or contact us by email at MINTState@msn.com or by telephone at 630-365-9790.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

MINT State Sells All Seven Cards From the “The Lucky 7 Find”

Myrtle Beach, SC -- (ReleaseWire) -- 04/27/2017 -- All seven Ty Cobb baseball cards from The Lucky 7 Find – one of the greatest sports card discoveries of all-time – have been sold, realizing approximately $3 million. The T206 White Border Ty Cobb red background portrait with the "Ty Cobb Tobacco" back, with only 22 known examples, is by far the rarest of the set's various tobacco brand backs.

In February 2016, Rick Snyder, owner of MINT State, a PSA Authorized Dealer specializing in rare, high-grade sports cards, had been contacted by a family going through their great-grandparents' old, dilapidated house in a rural southern town. Seven Ty Cobb baseball cards were found on the floor, face down at the bottom of a torn paper bag. All seven cards featured a reverse design, commonly referred to as the Ty Cobb back, which proclaimed Cobb to be the "King of the Smoking Tobacco World."

"We were hired by the family to have the cards graded by Professional Sports Authenticator and to sell them using our direct sales method, maximizing the prices realized for each of the seven cards in the find," explained Snyder. "While confidentiality prevents us from reporting individual sale prices, the seven cards – which ranged in grade from FR 1.5 to VG-EX+ 4.5 – sold for a staggering total of approximately three million dollars."

The Lucky 7 Find received national media coverage in March 2016 when news of the find was made public, and confirmed treasures are still out there waiting to be discovered. Not only did The Lucky 7 Find benefit the entire hobby due to the overwhelming publicity, it was the equivalent of a winning lottery ticket for a typical American family. "I cannot express enough how much my family and I appreciate you and your help," one of the family members wrote to Rick. "You are a hero to my family…and I am thankful [we were] led to that old paper bag and to an honest person to help us. Thank you!"

About MINT State Inc.
MINT State is a PSA Authorized Dealer of vintage baseball, football, basketball, hockey, and non-sports cards, specializing in rare, high-grade issues. Utilizing an extensive network of dealers, private collectors, and other sellers to obtain trading cards, memorabilia items, and other collectibles, MINT State has assisted with many of the finest collections ever assembled. Established in 2002 and in its 16th year of full-time operation, MINT State purchases single cards or entire collections, and offers a consignment package as an alternative to direct purchase.

For more information, please visit our website at http://www.MINTStateInc.com or contact Rick Snyder by email (MINTState@msn.com) or by telephone (630-365-9790).

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Possibly the Oldest Example of a Most Valuable Player Trophy

Myrtle Beach, SC -- (ReleaseWire) -- 07/20/2016 -- MINT State is proud to present the "Holy Grail" of sports collectibles, a unique piece of memorabilia that was uncovered earlier this year and recently consigned to us. Entirely new to the hobby, it is a silver pitcher and arguably the first Most Valuable Player (MVP) trophy ever awarded to a major league baseball player.

Background

In 1900, Philadelphia Phillies outfielder and future Hall of Famer Ed Delahanty was presented with a silver pitcher by a local saloon keeper named William E. Grady. Commemorating his previous season leading the team in home runs with nine, not unusual for the 19th century when home runs were far rarer than in today's game, the trophy's engraving reads "Presented by Wm. E. Grady to Ed Delahanty 1900." Grady, "one of the Phillies' most loyal partisans" according to the Pittsburgh Press, presented a silver pitcher each year to the player "making the most home runs on the grounds at Broad and Huntingdon Streets." This was the location of the Baker Bowl, the home park of the Philadelphia Phillies baseball team.

Known as the "King of Swat" long before Babe Ruth was dubbed the "Sultan of Swat," Delahanty had his best overall season in 1899. He won his first batting title with a .410 average – his third season batting .400 – and led the National League in eight categories, including hits (238), runs batted in (137), doubles (55), and total bases (338). If the Most Valuable Player Award existed at the turn of the century, Ed Delahanty would have been the recipient with the silver pitcher as a suitable trophy.

The Curious Case of Ed Delahanty

"When you pitch to Delahanty, you just want to shut your eyes, say a prayer and chuck the ball. The Lord only knows what'll happen after that." – Louis P. Masur, Autumn Glory

The sport's premier star of the 1890s, "The King of Swat" was one of baseball's first great power hitters. Ranking fifth all-time with a .346 career batting average, Delahanty hit .400 or better in a record-tying three seasons, and led the league in slugging percentage four times. A five-tool player long before the term came into use, "Big Ed" was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1945.

Unfortunately, the temperamental superstar was addicted to alcohol and gambling, and became as well known for his binge drinking and betting on the horses as he was for his abilities on the field. When Delahanty got too far in debt, he begged his teammates for money and threatened to kill himself if they didn't help out. Despondent and flat broke, he boarded a Pullman train in Detroit, the Michigan No. 6 to New York, on July 2, 1903. Becoming a nuisance by smoking, drinking heavily, threatening riders with a razor, and damaging the train's emergency tool cabinet, conductor John Cole removed Del from the train in Ontario, Canada.

Since the train had crossed the International Railway Bridge, "Big Ed" decided to walk across the 3,600-foot span toward Buffalo, New York. Approached by night watchman Sam Kingston, who was on patrol looking for smugglers, angry words were exchanged between the two men. Delahanty began running toward the American side and either jumped or stumbled, falling 25 feet into the deep water of the Niagara River. His body was found 20 miles downstream at the base of the Horseshoe Falls by passengers riding the "Maid of the Mist" boat and was buried at Calvary Cemetery in his hometown of Cleveland. Dead at the age of 35, it's unclear if Delahanty died accidentally or committed suicide.

A Family Heirloom

On October 19, 1901, Delahanty left the Philadelphia Phillies for the Washington Senators. In serious financial trouble due to his gambling and drinking habits, and the fact his wife was sick for some time, it's entirely possible "Big Ed" sold the trophy honoring his greatest season as a ballplayer at this point but we cannot be certain of the timing. We do know Del sold the silver pitcher to a banker named John Bauder who passed it on to his son John Bauder Jr. many years later.

Earlier this year, the trophy's existence and its equally amazing story came to the attention of John's niece only a few weeks before his passing at the age of 100. A World War II veteran and beloved schoolteacher, John Bauder Jr. had finally divulged the origin of the silver pitcher that had been displayed on his mantle for as long as his niece could remember.

Quite possibly the sport's first Most Valuable Player Award, the combination of Ed Delahanty's prowess as a baseball player, his tragic life, and the circumstances of his mysterious death adds considerable value to this 116-year-old trophy. It remains in phenomenal condition and could be considered the "Holy Grail" of sports memorabilia.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

MINT State Presents “The Lucky 7 Find”

Myrtle Beach, SC -- (ReleaseWire) -- 03/03/2016 -- Significant find. Rare card. Superior eye appeal.

Sports card collecting has seen its share of these proclamations made, past and present, and at a rate that would jade the most grizzled of hobby veterans. "These claims are routinely overused," said Rick Snyder, owner of MINT State, a PSA Authorized Dealer specializing in rare, high-grade sports cards, based in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. "It seems like a matter of recourse for all dealers who specialize in valuable collectibles." At a time when significant finds of rare cards with superior eye appeal are feared to be a phenomenon of days long gone, MINT State is privileged to present what is quite possibly the single greatest sports card discovery of all-time, The Lucky 7 Find.

Background

The T206 White Border set, affectionately known as "The Monster," is not only the premier set of the tobacco-card era, it is indisputably the most collected and valuable baseball card set ever issued. Perhaps best known for its inclusion of the "Holy Grail" of sports card collecting, the iconic Honus Wagner, the T206 set contains 524 different cards with sixteen tobacco brand advertisement backs. The rarest ad back – and by a considerable margin – is the "Ty Cobb" reverse design which proclaims Cobb to be the "King of the Smoking Tobacco World." Found only on the reverse of the Ty Cobb red background portrait, one of four Cobb cards in the T206 set, the "Ty Cobb" back is by far the rarest of the 16 tobacco brand backs with approximately 15 known examples as of February, 2016. Considered one of the great prizes among collectors, the T206 Ty Cobb with "Ty Cobb Tobacco" back is not only much scarcer than the Wagner, its unique nature makes the case it should have never been classified as a T206 many years ago by Jefferson Burdick, the pioneering author of The American Card Catalog. Until today, the highest grade ever assigned by PSA to any example of the Ty Cobb with Ty Cobb back is VG 3. "The Lucky 7 Find is about to change the entire landscape of this incredibly rare and valuable card," reported Snyder.

A Stunning Discovery

MINT State was recently contacted by a family going through their great-grandparents old, dilapidated house in a southern rural town. While the family wishes to remain anonymous, they did provide background information:

"The cards were found in a torn paper bag that was on the floor, and the bag was old and in bad shape like it had been there for a while. At first, we thought the bag was trash and was initially overlooked as such. After looking around at other things found in his old house, we were drawn back to that paper bag. The bag was picked up, opened, and then we realized there were post cards and other different types of cards inside. At the bottom of the bag, face down, were the seven Cobb cards.

We were amazed at the find, because, even though we are not collectors, we certainly recognized the name 'Ty Cobb,' especially after seeing a similar story on the show 'Strange Inheritance.' All of the cards inside the paper bag appeared to be from the same time period so we believed our great-grandfather and his family used loose tobacco for pipe smoking and to roll cigarettes. They used to travel frequently to Georgia, Alabama, and Florida, perhaps explaining how they became in possession of the Ty Cobb cards. After doing some initial research and still not knowing if the cards were real, we contacted [Rick Snyder of MINT State] for assistance."

The Lucky 7 Find

"My first call was to Joe Orlando, President of Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA), to discuss authentication and grading of the cards," said Snyder. "I shared the detailed photos sent to me by my clients with Joe, and we both agreed to talk again as soon as I had an opportunity to view the seven Cobb cards myself in-person. A few days later, I met with my clients and we called Joe to discuss the PSA brand, submission logistics, and what to expect once the cards were authenticated. Based on my exhaustive research and handling of the cards, I was confident all seven Cobbs were indeed authentic and I excitedly communicated this to Joe during our call."

PSA received the seven Cobbs on February 26 and authenticated them later that day. "When you factor in rarity, value, quantity, and quality, it can be argued this is the single greatest baseball card find the hobby has ever witnessed," explained Snyder. "It has been thrilling to participate in this historic find and will be a privilege to sell these cards on behalf of my clients."

The PSA assigned grades include: FR 1.5 (1 card), Good+ 2.5 (4 cards), VG+ 3.5 (1 card), and VG-EX+ 4.5 (1 card). The PSA 3.5 and 4.5 represent the two highest graded examples of the rare and valuable T206 Ty Cobb with Ty Cobb back. Collectors interested in purchasing any of the seven Cobb cards should email or call Rick Snyder of MINT State.

About MINT State
MINT State is a PSA Authorized Dealer of vintage baseball, football, basketball, and hockey issues, specializing in rare, high-grade cards. PSA can be visited on the web at http://www.psacard.com. Utilizing an extensive network of dealers, private collectors, and other sellers to obtain sports cards and memorabilia items, MINT State assists with many of the finest collections ever assembled. Established in 2002 and in its 15th year of full-time operation, MINT State purchases single cards, entire collections, and offers a consignment package as an alternative to outright purchase.

For more information, please visit http://www.mintstateinc.com or contact MINT State by email (mintstate@msn.com) or by telephone (630-365-9790).

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Elburn, IL -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/08/2014 -- MINT State, a collectibles dealer specializing in high-grade sports cards, based in Elburn, Illinois has sold a 1965 Topps #122 Joe Namath rookie card for $60,000.

One of the most recognizable sports cards of all-time, the sale represents one of only four Namath rookie cards ever graded MINT 9 by Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA), the industry's most recognized sports card authenticator and grader, out of approximately 1,000 examples submitted for grading. PSA uses a ten-point grading scale and has never assigned a grade higher than MINT 9 to "Broadway Joe's" inaugural issue.

Rick Snyder, founder and President of MINT State, had sold one of the other three Namath rookie cards graded PSA MINT 9 back in 2001 for a then-record setting sum of $20,000.

"The buyer viewed this as a rare opportunity to acquire one of the finest known rookie cards of the quarterback who boldly guaranteed the New York Jets victory over the heavily favored Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III," explained Snyder. "Not only is Joe Namath an American Football League icon, he is also the game's first true media superstar."

Snyder continued, "Exceptionally high grade football cards continue to escalate in value, particularly Hall of Famer rookie cards. This magnificent specimen was the keystone of the finest 1965 Topps football card set ever assembled, a set we have been handling on consignment with phenomenal results."

About MINT State
MINT State is a PSA Authorized Dealer of vintage football, basketball, baseball, and hockey issues, specializing in Mint and Gem Mint graded cards. PSA can be visited on the web at http://www.psacard.com. Utilizing an extensive network of dealers, private collectors, and other sellers to obtain high-grade sports cards, MINT State assists with many of the finest collections ever assembled. Established in 2002 and in its thirteen year, MINT State purchases single cards, entire collections, and offers a consignment package as an alternative to outright purchase.

For more information, please visit http://www.mintstateinc.com or contact MINT State by email info@mintstateinc.com or telephone 630-365-9790

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Elburn, IL -- (ReleaseWire) -- 09/12/2006 -- Seven years following his retirement, the greatest player in the history of professional hockey is still setting records. MINT State, a collectibles dealer specializing in high-grade sports cards, based in Elburn, Illinois has sold a 1979 O-Pee-Chee #18 Wayne Gretzky rookie card for $80,000, making it the most valuable hockey trading card in existence. Although Gretzky's 1979 rookie card is perceived to be a fairly modern issue and not considered especially rare, the record-setting card is the only Gem Mint 10 ever graded by Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA), the industry's most recognized sports card authenticator and grader. PSA uses a ten-point grading scale and Gem Mint 10 is the highest grade used by the authentication company.

Rick Snyder, founder and President of MINT State, brokered the sale between two of the company's clients.

"Our consignor purchased the only PSA-graded Gem Mint 10 of Gretzky's OPC rookie card in August 2005," explained Snyder. "He made a recent decision to refocus his collection and asked MINT State to find a buyer. In less than 30 minutes, the card had sold to a private collector for $80,000, the highest price ever paid for a single hockey card."

Snyder continued, "Extremely high grade football, basketball, and hockey cards continue to escalate in value at higher rates than their baseball counterparts. The buyer viewed this as a rare opportunity to acquire the finest known rookie card of a major sport's universally recognized all-time greatest player."

About MINT State

MINT State is a PSA Authorized Dealer of vintage football, basketball, baseball, and hockey issues, specializing in Mint and Gem Mint graded cards. PSA can be visited on the web at http://www.psacard.com. Utilizing an extensive network of dealers, private collectors, and other sellers to obtain high-grade sports cards, MINT State assists with many of the finest collections ever assembled. Established in 2002 and in its fifth year, MINT State purchases single cards, entire collections, and offers a consignment package as an alternative to outright purchase. For more information, please visit http://www.mintstateinc.com or contact MINT State by email (info@mintstateinc.com) or telephone (630-365-9790).

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm