ALS signed three times “Ty,” five pages both sides, 6 x 7 (last page measuring 4.5 x 7), personal letterhead, October 27, 1957. A lengthy letter to Armour Anderson, the son of the man who sold him the Twin Falls, Idaho, Coca-Cola bottling plant. In part, with Cobb’s spelling and punctuation retained:
“Lots of things happened with Coca Cola Co. there that was wrong – Herschel – my son now passed on, I bought the plant only to turn over to my boys Herschel & Jim, when they proved themselves qualified to operate it properly also at price I paid for it – no interest or any return for money I paid…the plant was not operated right, we never had a dividend, Jim of course was much younger and never had any part in this. Herschel was supposed to take care of his younger brother, instead he made it tough for Jim, Herschel was sparring to have all the plant and even suggested to me buying another plant for Jim of course Jim did not have experience and did not have executive ability to run a plant himself, thats main reason I bought the plant – for Jim to be taken care of by his brother…
“Jim was held down and not promoted through different operations as quickly as he learned & gained experience in each and to finally have salary Etc, on equal basis with Herschel. Jim was kept most of his time on the ‘soaker’ and you know what that was, all information I got was, Jim had a rough time even to personal treatment even to a physical nature, Jim left, my plans busted up, I had Herschels resignation in written form for months, I never used it…I am only a stockholder…
“I never wanted a bottling plant for my own operations it was as I have explained as proof, I sold the plant as quickly as I could – after Herschel, I received personally only the amount I paid your father for it and that with about 9 years of operations not one penny as return on money I paid out for Franchise & plant…
“Armour I have a real bargain to offer anyone, should you wish to, tell anyone you think might possibly be interested, it is now and has been since purchase been covered with $117500 insurance…Hartford Fire Ins. Co.…reported replacement value at $157500.00 Insurable replace value $149,500.00 Depreciated Insurable value which means payment in full this amount if a loss Etc. we have rented and received appreciable returns for storage different companies. I will sell for around $90000.00 there is 24000 feet of floor space also this building is not old, well located, spur track, also very ample real estate, several lots could be sold right up against other property now with houses.”
Accompanied by a full letter of authenticity from PSA/DNA, as well as the original mailing envelope, addressed in Cobb’s hand. In fine condition.
Already one of the National Pastime’s highest paid players, Cobb not only invested in the product and lent his face to advertising campaigns, but also, as referenced here, purchased three bottling plants in California, Idaho, and Oregon. The Georgia Peach went on to own 20,000 shares of company stock, which at the time of his death in 1961 was worth millions of dollars. Although investments in Coca-Cola made the Hall of Famer incredibly wealthy, this lengthy letter carries with it a more poignant tone, considering references to his son Herschel, who died in 1951, and youngest son, Jim. Cobb’s oldest son, Ty, Jr., had been estranged from his father prior to his 1952 death. A lengthy and detailed piece of correspondence from not only one of the most proficient ballplayers of all time, but one of its fiercest businessmen as well. RRAuction COA.
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