This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/6/2021
The third winningest pitcher in baseball history, Christy Mathewson enjoyed a 12-year run from 1903-14, posting a 327-133 record and leading the league in strikeouts five times.
Unlike many of the other superstars of his day, Mathewson was at the tail end of his career when this 1915 Cracker Jack card was released, a 34-year old hurler that was about to experience his first losing season after having notched 24 wins the prior year. A virtually perfectly framed image of the great hurler is placed upon the delicate paper stock with an amazing pairing of bold background red and the stark white of the uniform and the borders, with peachy flesh-tones of Matty’s face seemingly bringing the card to life. The four corners meet the specs of the NM/MT+ grade and it's anybody's guess as to why it didn't earn a MINT assessment overall. The reverse is well-printed with a bright canvas that shows no staining, clearly having been spared the consequences of the condition-ruining caramel. A phenomenal example of an iconic issue, offered in prideful NM/MT+ condition.