(LOT 275)
c.1913 Christy Mathewson Original PSA Type 1 Encapsulated Louis Van Oeyen Photo - Measures Approx. 8" x 10"
"BIG SIX" VAN OEYEN!!!... This imposing 1913 PSA Type 1 Photo taken by legendary photographer Louis van Oeyen, portrays one of the most majestic Christy Mathewson pitching images! The iconic Matty has just released another one of his tantalizing pitchers that typically overmatched even the most formidable hitters of that era. The 1913 campaign would see the incomparable Big Six post his twelfth 20+ win season, with his 25 wins and outstanding 2.06 ERA leading the Giants to their third consecutive NL Pennant. In the Fall Classic against Connie Mack's Philadelphia Athletics, Mathewson would post his fourth World Series shutout in game #2 at Shibe Park, besting Eddie Plank by a 3-0 score in a classic 10-inning pitching duel. Unfortunately for both Christy and the Giants, the Athletics would eventually capture the Series in five games, with Plank exacting revenge by beating Matty 3-1 in the game #5 clincher.

This ultra-rare 8" x 10" sepia-toned photo certainly reveals an abundance of glaring flaws, including severe edge chipping, numerous areas of soiling, scattered creases and four corner chips including a substantial area of missing paper stock near the upper right edge. Yet, most significantly, the extraordinary central Mathewson pitching image has managed to elude any of these high-level blemishes, uncompromised and projecting stellar contrast and clarity. Of course, the final superlative is the verso's illustrious Louis Van Oeyen credit stamp, with Van Oeyen standing right alongside the likes of Horner, Conlon, Bain, Thompson and Burke as one of our National Pastime's foremost photographers. In retrospect, the dynamic duo of an ultra-rare Christian Gentleman pitching pose and the image's architect Louis Van Oeyen more than offset the previously mentioned flaws, placing this timeless heirloom as a must have for any serious Mathewson or diversified Type 1 photo gathering!

MIN BID $300
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