Lot # 756: 1955 Old Homestead Franks Des Moines Bruins Bobby Cooke - PSA NM-MT 8

Category: 1949-Present

Starting Bid: $200.00

Bids: 2 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "Winter, 2023 Set Builder Auction",
which ran from 1/28/2023 12:00 AM to
2/11/2023 9:00 PM



The struggle for supremacy in the dog-eat-dog world of wieners was so fierce in the 1950's that Old Homestead, an Iowa meatpacking company, issued a set of 21 players toiling for the Class-A Western League's Des Moines Bruins to bring attention to their franks and other products.  The set is rare/borderline impossible, with 73 in total graded by PSA and a sole example showing up on the SGC pop report. The black bottom panel that extends to the bottom of the card is a key culprit in the grading clustering around VG-EX and lower for most examples.

Bobby Cooke may have a claim to being the lightest hitting minor leaguer of all time, hitting .083 for the Bruins before being demoted three levels, where he hit .091 for two teams in the Class-D Sooner State League to finish out one of the more futile offensive campaigns ever.  He was gone from organized ball after 1957 and this is his sole appearance on a baseball card.   There are 4 Old Homestead Cooke's graded by PSA, and this is one of only five 8's assessed overall for the set, with none higher. As you would expect, the card looks fantastic front and back.  A condition rarity in a ridiculously scarce set, it's a wonder this survived in such nice shape. Hopefully Mr. Cooke was able to hang on to one of these!

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