Auction Item Details
Lot 170
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Lot Number: 170
Description: 1908 trophy cup presented to Christy Mathewson by E.Z. Club New York newsboys. In a career full of dominant seasons, Christy Mathewson's performance in 1908 easily ranks as one of the finest pitching years in baseball's annals. Matty compiled an astounding 37-11 record with 259 strikeouts, 11 shutouts, and a 1.43 ERA. Mathewson's effort carried the New York Giants to within one game of the N.L. pennant, but it was the Cubs who prevailed that year. Shortly after the Giants' season ended, Mathewson received the offered trophy, which his family would recall was his favorite among a multitude of tributary objects he had received throughout his career and lifetime. On October 13, 1908, while the Chicago Cubs and Detroit Tigers convened for Game 4 of the World Series, Christy Mathewson was being honored by a small, loyal segment of his fan base: newsboys. That day, the "E.Z. Club" of New York newsboys presented Matty with this 8" tall sterling-silver trophy cup, which is elegantly engraved, "To Christy Mathewson from E.Z. Club - 3397 Third Ave N.Y. - October 13 1908." Mathewson - ever the kind-hearted, consummate role model known to many as "The Christian Gentleman" - was deeply humbled by the knowledge that these hard-working young newsies had gone to great lengths to raise the funds for such an expensive tribute. The award was cherished by Mathewson above even the most prestigious in his brimming trophy case. The provenance for this trophy comes from Christy Mathewson's daughter-in-law, Peggy, who confirms the family lore regarding Matty's affection for it. The second wife of Jane and Christy Mathewson's only son, Christy Mathewson, Jr., Peggy inherited her husband's estate upon his untimely death, and thus many of her famous father-in-law's personal effects. In March of 1982, famed collector Barry Halper acquired from her a selection of Matty's trophies, along with annotated close-up photographs of the items. The offered trophy was among the group. Peggy's handwritten caption on the back of an accompanying photo of this particular trophy cup states, "Trophy presented by E.Z. Club New York newsboys and CM's favorite trophy as it had been such an effort for them to buy it." Other provenance comes in the form of photocopies of more general documents verifying Peggy's status as the executor to the estate of Christy Mathewson, Jr. and Peggy's letter to Halper dated "3/3/1982" that reads, in part, "Dear Barry - I am glad that you are going to have the Christy Mathewson memorabilia, because I am sure that you will treasure it as the family did. I know that Jane Mathewson [Christy's wife] would be very pleased to know that it is being taken care of ..." The trophy remains in excellent original condition with no structural faults. That Mathewson preferred such an understated design in comparison to other, more impressive awards, speaks to his genuine appreciation for the every day fans who adored him. Unique opportunity to acquire a cherished relic from one of baseball's greatest and most humble legends: EX-MTEstimated Price Range: ($7,000-$10,000)
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