Lot # 79: 1915 Opening Day - Christy Mathewson / NYC Mayor Mitchel Type 1 Underwood & Underwood Photo PSA/DNA LOA Type 1

Category: Photos

Starting Bid: $300.00

Bids: 6 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "Spring Fever Auction 2018",
which ran from 4/28/2018 12:00 PM to
5/19/2018 7:00 PM




(LOT 79)
1915 Opening Day – Christy Mathewson w/NYC Mayor John Purroy Mitchel Original Type 1 Underwood & Underwood Photo – Measures Approx. 7-1/4" x 9-1/4" - Full PSA Type 1 LOA

Entering the 1915 season, the legendary Christy Mathewson had put together an unfathomable string of 12 consecutive 20+ win seasons, including four seasons in which the right-hander would achieve the 30+ win mark! Incredible to say the least, Matty had already secured a permanent niche in baseball history as one of the game's greatest pitchers to ever toe the rubber. Now 34-years old, the "Christian Gentleman" was in the twilight of his career, and by the end of the 1915 campaign, his extremely uncharacteristic 8-14 record marked his first losing season since 1902. Opening day of the 1915 season would be played at the Polo Grounds, with the Giants facing off against their cross-town rivals the Brooklyn Robins.

Much to the chagrin of the Polo Grounds faithful, an aging Mathewson would not be the opening day starter, but rather crafty hurler Jeff Pfeffer who would easily best the Robins by a 16-3 score, with Pfeffer going the distance and allowing only six hits. As an heirloom for that April 14, 1915 opening day event, presented here is an awe-inspiring pre-game PSA Type 1 image of the great Mathewson shaking hands with New York City Mayor John Purroy Mitchel. The Big Apple's mayor from 1914-1917, Mitchel took the opportunity to be part of the Giant's and Robin's inaugural 1915 game, and one can surely understand how he sought out the immortal Mathewson to shake hands with this New York icon. Indeed, Christy Mathewson was the "toast of the town", and not even their prestigious Mayor could boast Matty's unparalleled popularity.

Measuring approximately 7-1/4" x 9-1/4", this Underwood & Underwood photo depicts the finest possible clarity and contrast as Mathewson utilizes his hallowed right pitching hand to firmly shake Mitchel's hand, with Matty's left hand holding his bat and Giant's cap. Mathewson is also wearing his period style baseball sweater, further enhancing the vintage luster of this illustrious offering. The borderless obverse side surface is relatively clean, with only a few stray wrinkles barely visible to the naked eye and the verso revealing several credit stamps. An immensely eclectic image of the legendary Christy Mathewson, it serves as a steadfast reminder of his illustrious career, with many historians still ranking him as our National Pastime's finest hurler! - Full PSA Type I LOA

MIN BID $300
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