Significant Christy Mathewson Single Signed Baseball: A Surv... - photo 1
Significant Christy Mathewson Single Signed Baseball: A Surv... - photo 2
Significant Christy Mathewson Single Signed Baseball: A Surv... - photo 3
Significant Christy Mathewson Single Signed Baseball: A Surv... - photo 4
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Significant Christy Mathewson Single Signed Baseball: A Surv...

Lot 20
16.12.2020 10:00UTC +00:00
Classic
Sold
$ 187 500
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
Buyer Premiumsee on Website%
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Archive
ID 465320
Lot 20 | Significant Christy Mathewson Single Signed Baseball: A Surv...
Estimate value
$ 150 000 – 300 000
Significant Christy Mathewson Single Signed Baseball: A Surviving Attributed Benefit Auction Exemplar c.1918-24 (PSA/DNA)

Christopher Mathewson began his career in the humble blue collar town of Factoryville, PA. His athletic success continued as he attended Bucknell University where he played baseball, football and basketball, in addition to serving as class president. It would not take long for Matty's path to the Major Leagues to blossom, as he earned a 20-2 record with the Norfolk Minor League club in 1900. Mathewson would then play for the New York Giants from 1900-1916 compiling a National League record of 373 career victories.

In an era when ballplayers were known as hard-living, hard-drinking rouges, the college-educated, fair-haired and handsome Mathewson was the idol of millions. His articulate, dignified persona contrasted a fierce competitiveness on the mound that made him, arguably, the most dominant pitcher of his time. Tragically, while serving his country during World War I in 1918 he was exposed to poison gas and subsequently developed tuberculosis as a result of the damage to his lungs. "Big Six" passed away in 1925 at the age of 45 at Saranac Lake in New York, leaving the baseball world devoid of one of its greatest icons. Appropriately, Christy Mathewson was named as an original inductee to the newly formed National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936. As a result of his early passing and the era in which Matty played, there are exceedingly few examples of his single signed baseballs surviving to date.

The best remaining examples originate from a few charitable benefit auctions that were held during the 1910-20 era, and there have been scant few of these "Holy Grail" Mathewson baseballs to surface. Offered is a crown jewel attributed with origins to that limited club.

Official John Heydler National League baseball exhibits light even age toning and surface wear retaining nicely visible manufacturer's stampings. Mathewson's classic penmanship is on full display in the form of a beautiful black fountain pen signature rightfully occupying the sweet spot position. Signature presents in uniform tonality rating 8 out of 10 having only some minor areas of surface flaking mentioned for accuracy only. This example originally entered the hobby in a 1994 auction conducted by Robert Edward Auctions. Through research in the period it was determined that the ball was attributed to have been one of the prized examples that was in fact signed by Mathewson to be offered at a charity benefit auction in the period. While this cannot be fully documented it is very likely accurate in light of the ball type, signing period and consistency with others of its attribution. Numerous such Mathewson signed baseballs were contributed by Matty to various charitable benefit auctions from as early as 1909 through the early 1920s era, as evidenced by accompanying newspaper articles and original photographs. Very significant Matthewson single signature baseball which is without question among the finest ever offered at public auction. Includes full LOA from JSA, 1994 LOA from Robert Edward Auctions, and supportive documentation regarding benefit auction attribution: Ball :EX, Signature: NM

Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
8 King Street, St. James's
SW1Y 6QT London
United Kingdom
Preview
16.12.2020 – 16.12.2020
Phone +44 (0)20 7839 9060
Email
4FQ.AYGKAGLUQ@FO3G@
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