(LOT 136)
Babe Ruth & John McGraw Meet at Christy Mathewson Benefit Game on October 3, 1923 - PSA Type I Original Underwood & Underwood Photo – Measures Approx. 6-5/8" x 8-1/2" - PSA Type I LOA
The 1923 season would see the New York Giants battle the New York Yankees for the third straight year in the World Series. Approximately one week before the fall Classic commenced, a benefit game was held at the Polo Grounds on October 3rd in honor of the immortal Christy Mathewson who was suffering from severe tuberculosis due to the ill effects of inhaling mustard gas during a World War 1 training exercise. On this significant day, the incomparable Babe Ruth was asked to play the outfield for the New York Giants in the benefit game, obviously due to his unparalleled popularity as an immense incentive to draw fans thru the turnstiles.

As a remarkable keepsake from that by-gone event, this outstanding 6-5/8" x 8-1/2" Underwood & Underwood PSA Type 1 photo portrays the immortal Ruth and Giant's legendary manager John McGraw together on the top steps of the dugout. Emulating the great Connie Mack, McGraw is donning his formal attire with the "Sultan of Swat" wearing the New York Giants classic pinstripe home uniform that included a different interlocking "NY" on the cap and jersey (compared to the standard Yankee "NY") as well as the Giant's striped socks (compared to the Yankee solid blue stockings). Depicting brilliant contrast and resolution, the only flaw worthy of mention is a diminutive horizontal border tear near the lower right edge.

A few stray wrinkles barely visible to the naked eye, some upper right border impressions and a reverse side notation along the upper edge reading "Ruth and McGraw – 10/3/23" are peripheral blemishes rendered virtually irrelevant versus the photos sheer existence. The final exclamation point is the critical "Underwood & Underwood credit stamp affixed to the verso. A magnificent heirloom from the storied 1923 season, it exhibits two baseball giants teaming up to support our National Pastime's stricken "Christian Gentleman", with Babe Ruth spearheading a Yankee team that would eventually defeat McGraw's Giants only 12 days later in the 1923 Fall Classic! – PSA Type I LOA

MIN BID $300