(LOT 247)
Iconic c.1910’s Christy Mathewson PSA Type 1 Charles Conlon Image Used for Matty’s Tuxedo Tobacco Ad Sign & His October 25, 1913 Police Gazette Front Cover - Measures Approx. 6” x 8”
This magnificent Christy Mathewson PSA Type 1 photo just happens to be the exact image utilized for Matty’s iconic c.1910 Tuxedo Tobacco Advertisement Sign, as well as his front cover appearance on the October 25, 1913 Police Gazette issue!  Indeed, similar to the overwhelming hobby craze of locating original illustrations associated with sports card subjects is the similar frenzy for finding images tied to classic advertising artifacts and periodicals.  If the bona-fide usage of this Mathewson image for the aforementioned Tuxedo Tobacco and Police Gazette mementos isn’t enough to tickle your fancy, consider that this grand offering was taken by the legendary Charles M. Conlon, whose hallowed name stands tall among baseball’s finest all-time photographers.  Originally struck in the early 1910’s, Mathewson’s imposing portrait gaze is absolutely breathtaking as the standout right-handed twirler takes a moment to seemingly reminisce about a career that had already placed him as baseball’s all-time twirler.  At the time Conlon took this stoic image, the “Big Six” had asserted himself as the undisputed “king of the hill”, having already tallied four 30+ win seasons, five strikeout titles, five sub-2.00 E.R.A. campaigns (including four in a row from 1908-1911) while on his way to an unfathomable 12 consecutive seasons of winning 20 or more games!  He would eventually win a National league record 373 games (tied w/Grover Alexander) and compile a microscopic-like 2.13 lifetime E.R.A. with all of the above substantiating his pinnacle stature.  Christy would ultimately become the most beloved, worshiped and admired pre-WWI baseball player, a “turn of the century” matinee idol to thousands of aspiring young ballplayers, with his sense of fair play and decency ultimately earning him the revered nickname “The Christian Gentleman”.  Yet, for all of his remarkable statistical achievements, NONE are more impressive than his miraculous 3 World Series shutouts against Connie Mack’s mighty Philadelphia Athletics in the 1905 World Series.  A record that may never be matched in any lifetime, this incomparable feat prompted the awestruck Mack to so eloquently state in defeat: “Christy Mathewson is the greatest pitcher I have ever seen.  It was wonderful to watch him pitch when he wasn’t pitching against you!”  One of the most significant Mathewson photos you will ever come across, its remarkable pedigree places it right alongside some of the finest Mathewson photos known to exist including Horner’s iconic “Hands at Chest” image and the several Matty “pitching pose” images struck by Bain during his famous early 1900’s photo shoot.  Who would have ever thought that this innocent baby-faced Factoryville, Pennsylvania native would eventually rise to the pinnacle level of pitching supremacy after the Reds traded him to the N.Y. Giants for Amos Rusie before the 1901 season.  Matty’s true essence is well-captured in this imposing Conlon photo, and we simply cannot imagine any other Mathewson image depicting the intensity from Christy’s unparalleled classic pose.  Measuring approximately 6” x 8”, Mathewson is donning his Giant’s period-style pinstripes with the image literally providing a “3-D” like effect, courtesy of the near-perfect contrast and sparkling resolution.  Amazingly, no glaring surface flaws are evident, with a diminutive lower edge chip situated directly below Matty’s uniform button rendered virtually negligible versus the otherwise brilliant aesthetics.  The final exclamation point is the flipside’s scripted “Christy Mathewson” (in pencil) near the lower edge that certainly appears to be the handwriting of the great Charles M. Conlon.  To reiterate, this Matty illustration’s “spine-tingling” eye appeal, c.1910 Tuxedo Tobacco ad sign/1913 Police Gazette front cover pedigree, and the fact it was issued by the immortal Charles M. Conlon all justify the notion that even the most sophisticated photo enthusiast should jump onboard this extraordinary “Big Six” marvel and ride it directly to the winner’s circle! 
MIN BID $4,000
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