Carrying a mean reputation, Ty Cobb shows another side in this handwritten postcard to a fan who sent a ball to be signed. Briskly inscribed in his trademark green ink, Cobb politely reminds the fan that it will cost 48 cents to mail the ball back. "I have many, many requests and thousands for autographs," he continues. "I feel honored to be asked my autograph but I cannot underwrite the stamp bills -- T.R.C." (Tyrus Raymond Cobb). The May 12, 1952 postmark originates from his post-baseball residence in Menlo Park, Calif. The plain government-issue postcard has yellowed but Cobb's writing on the note side is clear except for a smudged "Menlo" and "Calif" in his written dateline. The address side shows that he corrected the fan's name from John to Tom. Even Cobb, who later donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to worthy causes, had his considerate side.