This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/11/2020
Next in line after the success of the 1909-11 T206 white border series, Cracker Jack stepped up to offer their own baseball card collection in 1914. A thin paper stock card was inserted into each box of the popular candy but the frailty of the card and the inevitable staining from the sticky caramel candy inevitably caused significant condition sensitivity of the series. The set is loaded with baseball legends but most avid collectors agree that the most intriguing card is the horizontally formatted issue of Hall of Fame legend Christy Mathewson. Clearly one of the finest pitchers of his day, and of all-time, the Mathewson card is one of only two subjects (the other being Del Pratt) who appears in a different pose for the 1915 series. All of the other cards are identical to their 1915 counterpart with the bio flipped on the reverse to distinguish between the two collections. Presented here is a true icon in baseball card collecting; a 1914 Cracker Jack #88 Christy Mathewson graded SGC 20 FAIR 1.5. A vertical crease runs through the center of the card but it barely makes an impression upon the regal image of Mathewson finishing his wind-up and is more visible on the back of the card. While the unavoidable staining from the caramel is significant, the card excels with more than adequate centering and endpoints that easily surpass the grade. Not only is the almost mythical 1914 Cracker Jack Mathewson easily the most coveted card ever dedicated to "Big Six" but also stands as the most elusive and desirable example in the '14 Cracker Jack series, high praise considering the collection includes names like Cobb, Johnson, Jackson, Wagner, and a long list of other Hall of Famers. One of the great rarities of the early 20th century!