This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/22/2016
While "The Big Train" was chugging along when this 1915 Cracker Jack card was released, gobbling up 20 win seasons at an alarming rate in our nation's capital, "Big Six" had already been there and done that in "The Big Apple" by posting 12 consecutive seasons of 20 wins or more, with five league ERA titles and a World Series championship in 1905. Averaging 26 wins and a 1.96 ERA over his first 13 full seasons, even the great Walter Johnson was still second fiddle to the legendary body of work amassed by Christy Mathewson to that point. And before Johnson became known as the game's foremost strikeout artist, it was Mathewson that held the title, leading the league in whiffs five of the six years between 1903-1908. Playing his first full season of professional ball at age 19 for Norfolk of the Virginia League, Mathewson made it clear that he was destined to become a diamond legend, posting an 18-2 record with a 0.74 ERA, completing 19 of his 21 starts with 5 shutouts. Presented is an alluring collectible of Christy Mathewson from the 1915 Cracker Jack series that, at SGC 92 NM/MT+ 8.5, is superceded by only 2 examples on the SGC pop report. A precisely centered image of the great hurler is framed by a brilliant white border, housing an abundance of bold, attention-grabbing red that surrounds the peachy flesh-tones of Matty’s face. Three of the four corners seem to meet MINT qualifications with the lower left making a case for GEM MINT. The reverse is well-printed with a like-new freshness. A thoroughly invigorating card, offered in prideful NM/MT+ condition.