Auction Item Details
Lot 645
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Lot Number: 645
Description: Rare Christy Mathewson single signed baseball. The signature of Christy Mathewson spans the sweet spot of this Tener NL ball dating from the 1915-17 era. The rare penning projects at 7-8 out of 10 in terms of boldness. Though not readily apparent, close inspection of the signature under magnification reveals subtle enhancements. A portion of the "C" and the "a" have been slightly enhanced, with the balance of the signature remaining untouched according to an analysis conducted by JSA. The ball itself shows light soiling throughout with some typical areas of wear to the surface and retains a remarkably fresh appearance, unaffected by any distracting blemishes. Matty's premature death in 1925 has left collectors with a limited sampling of baseballs bearing his autograph. In terms of visual quality, this is among the finest of the miniscule number of Mathewson singles we've encountered. 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. The pitching virtuosity he demonstrated for 18 summers were matched in degree only by an equally tragic demise at the age of 45, a direct result of courageous action in World War I. His greatest honor was bestowed upon him posthumously, in 1936, when he became an inaugural member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Includes LOA from JSA. Ball: EX, Signature: EX-MT (with note to partial enhancement)Estimated Price Range: ($20,000-$30,000)
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