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1914 Christy Mathewson Signed Large Photo
1914
Excellent


With Babe Ruth nothing more than a promising prospect at the close of the year 1914, and Ty Cobb a brilliant but unloveable star, it was Christy Mathewson that held the collective hearts of baseball fans nationwide at the time that he inked this remarkable photograph to a Bucknell fraternity brother. It ended up being Matty's final winning season, a brilliant 24-13 campaign that should have earned the Giants a fifth pennant under his reign if not for the improbable Miracle Braves. Those with any knowledge of the baseball autograph market need no explanation of the rarity and desireability of such a piece. Mathewson's tremendous fame and Hall of Famer relevance, paired with his early death in 1925 from tuburculosis brought on by World War 1 chemical warfare lung damage, directs supply and demand in extreme opposite directions. Collectors scramble for any slip of paper blessed by Matty's hand, well aware that the final remaining examples are finding permanent homes and one day will dry up altogether. This is no mere slip of paper however. It's not even the typical Mathewson signed photo, if there were such a thing. Presented here is one of the finest Mathewson artifacts ever to be offered into the sports collectibles marketplace, a thrilling oversized studio portrait of Christy in uniform with a conservative 8/10 fountain pen inscription to a college buddy. The photo measures a regal 10.5 x 13.75" in size and shows only light age toning, with a complete absence of creasing, tearing or foxing so typically associated with photos of this vintage. The inscription reads "Best regards to Brother Gus from Christy Mathewson", Dec. 1914". This amazing specimen has never been seen in the hobby until now! Includes a LOA from PSA/DNA.

Sold $25,000