This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/22/2019
New York Giants ace Christy Mathewson was so well-respected as a turn of the century pitcher that he is joined by just one other hurler, the legendary Walter Johnson, in the inaugural Hall of Fame inductee class, along with immortals Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb and Honus Wagner. Not even icons like Nap Lajoie, Tris Speaker, or baseball's winningest pitcher Cy Young, were included in that first class, giving both Johnson and Mathewson a unique place in the annuls of baseball history. Mathewson ran off a string of 12 consecutive 20+ win seasons, compiling a record of 327-133 during that span with a paltry 2.00 ERA. What might be even more impressive was his pinpoint accuracy, averaging just one walk every 6.2 innings. Of all the baseball card issues that Mathewson appeared in during his career, few can match the sheer beauty of his card from the condition-sensitive T201 Mecca Double Folders collection. And none can match the incredible card offered here. One of the keys to the T201 issue, this miraculous piece is the one and only example graded PSA 8.5 with none graded higher, boasting sharp MINT corners with NM/MT+ to MINT edges around a sensationally sharp image of "The Christian Gentleman," overflowing with contrast and color. Typical of the issue, some minor print can be observed in the background but is well within the bounds of even a superior overall grade. One of the crown jewels of the T201 issue that has enough impact to single-handedly rearrange the crowded Set Registry leader board.