(LOT 121)
c.1908 Christy Mathewson "Batting" PSA Type 1 Encapsulated George Grantham Bain Photo – Measures Approx. 3-1/4" x 4-3/4" – PSA Type 1 LOA
The year was 1908 and the Giants and Cubs would battle for the National League pennant to the end of the season. Due to the Fred Merkle "Boner" game ending in a 1-1 tie, New York and Chicago would finish in a tie for first place, and on October 6th, the two teams would square off at the Polo grounds to determine who would play the Detroit Tigers in the World Series. A "tired" Christy Mathewson would ultimately lose to the great "Three Fingered" Brown by a 4-2 score before a violent Polo grounds crowd, with the Cub's advancing to the Fall Classic.

Although Matty would fall short of his 38th win, the 1908 season certainly stands as his greatest campaign as the handsome right-hander tallied 37 wins, posted a microscopic-like 1.43 E.R.A. and fanned 259 batters, with all three figures pacing the league. That would be Christy's second "Triple Crown" pitching feat, with the 1936 Hall of Fame Charter member ultimately winning 373 games and finishing his legendary career with a microscopic-like 2.13 E.R.A. As a grand testament for that remarkable 1908 pitching performance, this outstanding PSA Type 1 image was taken by the iconic photographer George Grantham Bain in the circa 1908 period.

An extremely eclectic photo, it portrays the "Christian Gentleman" in a scarce batting stance, with a majority of Matty's illustrations depicting the immortal right-hander in either a pitching or portrait-like pose. Measuring approximately 3-1/4" x 4-3/4", Mathewson is donning his classic Giants uniform and utilizing a "bat over shoulder" pose as he stoically stares into Bain's camera. Brilliant contrast and clarity literally bring the Mathewson image to life, and other than some stray spoiling spots and faint wrinkles barely visible to the naked eye, the image has miraculously eluded any glaring flaws. The final exclamation point is the critical GEORGE GRANTHAM BAIN credit stamp affixed to the verso; a bona-fide superlative that substantiates this world-class offering originated from this prestigious photographer. A truly obscure "Big Six" offering, it rekindles fond memories of how this "Big Apple" twirler dominated hitters for roughly 15 seasons at a level far superior than any National League hurler!

MIN BID $500
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