(LOT 34)
"Unique for the Grade" E92 Christy Mathewson 1909 Croft's Candy "Black Ad Back" PSA 5 EX – "POP 1"; Highest PSA Graded Example!
PINNACLE "POP 1" MATTY!!!... In 1909, the Philadelphia based Croft & Allen Co. inserted baseball cards into their popular candy brand packages as a promotional tool to enhance sales. Similar to other renowned candy companies (e.g., Dockman & Sons, Nadja Caramels and Croft's Cocoa), lithographic images of popular stars were utilized on the obverse side of the cards with the manufacturer's advertisement listed on the flipside. Croft's Candy issued 50 different players with three different colored advertisement backs including black, blue and red. Presented here just happens to be a super scarce PSA 5 EX 1909 Croft's Candy "Black Ad Back" of the legendary Christy Mathewson, with this extraordinary POP 1 marvel standing alone at the top of the PSA census report as the finest of its kind! Indeed, finding a Croft's Candy Mathewson card in any grade is a daunting task, justified by PSA listing only 13 other total examples.

For full disclosure, SGC's population report only lists a meager 10 total examples, with only a single 5 EX specimen likewise standing tall. It's no secret that elite enthusiasts scramble to obtain any of Mathewson's cardboard rarities, and this best of the rest offering would make a fine centerpiece in any vintage gathering. The immortal Christy Mathewson is one of the hobby's premier collectibles and why not? Matty dominated the turn of the century decade like no other pitcher, eventually accumulating an unfathomable 373 lifetime wins and microscopic 2.13 ERA. Nicknamed the "Christian Gentlemen", he was worshiped by virtually every avid baseball fan with his unequivocal legacy forever embellished in our National Pastime's history. We cannot imagine a more fitting testament to his immortality than this pinnacle graded cardboard obscurity that like Matty's pitching superiority, reigns supreme.

The popular sideways pose seen on other early 20th century Mathewson cards (e.g., E101, E102, E106, etc.) presents itself in outstanding fashion, highlighted by the brilliant array of tranquil blue, yellow and green background colors. Christy's timeless pitching image portrays vivid clarity and near-perfect contrast as the majestic right-hander unleashes another one of his classic fade-away pitches. Fine centering only reflects a modest partiality towards the upper edge, the surfaces are relatively clean, and scattered toning along the borders prevents a higher assessment. The final superlatives are somewhat square corners, and the ultra-significant black CANDY-CROFTS ad back, with the undisputed unique PSA grade ultimately placing this museum worthy masterpiece as the pinnacle example!

MIN BID $3,000
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