#45-Tobacco Cards, Testarossa, and High Relief
"When you can figure out the things that are going to remain true under almost all circumstances, then you can put energy into them." -Jeff Bezos
Hope you are having a great weekend!
Ty Cobb becomes larger than life on the baseball field, and James Buchanan Duke rises to the top of the tobacco industry leading his American Tobacco Company to dominate the market.
These two forces collide to create one of the most valuable baseball cards of all time. The T-206 Ty Cobb tobacco card.
I read two amazing books on the subject, I highly recommend both of them -
'Ty Cobb, A Terrible Beauty' by Author Charles Leerhsen
‘The Dukes of Durham' by Robert Franklin Durden
Check out my latest episode on Ty Cobb, and creating the T-206 baseball card.
Or, here’s the Apple Podcast link -
Hope you enjoy it!
Three Thoughts -
Here’s a few interesting things I learned this week while searching for the world’s greatest collectibles.
#1 - The Louis E. Eliasberg Collection
In 1950, Louis E. Eliasberg completed his complete collection of U.S. coins including every type, date, denomination, mint mark, and metal ever produced.
It’s the only collection to achieve such a feat, and most likely will never be done again.
After his death, the collection was split between his two kids and auctioned off in three separate sales.
Some estimate that Eliasberg spent $400,000 over his lifetime assembling his collection. Other coin experts argue the amount was higher.
Nonetheless, the entire collection sold for over $44 million when the final lot was brought to auction in 1997.
#2 - Ferrari Testarossa
The goal was to improve on the Ferrari 512 BBi from 1981.
A wider wheel base, more headroom, and space for luggage.
But better cabin air circulation was one of the biggest hurdles.
The 512 BBi was notorious for a hot cabin from the front radiator plumbing running under the floor to the mid-mounted engine.
Designers at Pininfarina would need open side air intakes to keep the car cool.
But safety rules prohibited open side air intakes, so chief designer at Pininfarina, Leonardo Fioravanti, decided to make a statement.
Instead, he designed air intakes running down almost the entire side of the car covered in horizontal fins. And in the process, created one of the most recognizable and iconic car designs of all-time.
The Ferrari Testarossa defined the 1980s. Famous celebrities, athletes, TV shows, and video games all featured the eye-catching Ferrari Testarossa as a sign of luxury, speed, wealth, and style.
#3 - Ultra High, Extremely High
U.S. Mint Engraver Charles Barber warned it would never work.
He wrote a letter to the Acting Mint Director in 1906,
"...we are just as certain that the relief of his eagle will never coin, as we are certain that the sun will rise each morning, and the only object in all this trouble and waste of money is to convince those who will be convinced in no other way..."
Nevertheless, Barber struck 24 experimental coins in 1907, with raised relief so high it took nine separate strikes from the medal press set to max pressure.
Coin designer Augustus Saint-Gaudens eventually settled on a lower relief design for the double eagle, so millions of coins could be produced for circulation with only one single strike by the Mint presses.
But now, the 20 known ultra high relief double eagle coins disdainfully struck by Charles Barber back in 1907 sell today for over $4 million each.
Check out my episode on creating the amazing Saint-Gaudens double eagle gold coins,
And if you own one of these coins, I’d love to discuss it with you!
BONUS -
I heard Jeff Bezos describe a concept he used to build Amazon and it blew my mind.
It’s so simple, yet the way Bezos explained it really changed the way I think and act.
Here’s more of my thoughts on the quote, and why you should spend some of your spare time in an enjoyable hobby.
Please subscribe and share with someone who might enjoy it.
Thanks for reading, take some time to have a little fun today, and have a great week!