A masterful 1907 photograph by Paul Thompson capturing Christy Mathewson in the prime of his career. “Matty” had previous posted three consecutive 30-win seasons and he’d go on to win another 24 in the season in which this photo dates to. Mathewson’s college education and clean-living lifestyle helped change the public’s perception of baseball players being a rough, unmannered lot. When this photo was taken Mathewson had become the idol of millions of kids across America and his golden right arm made the New York Giants the most respected sports team in the world. And Matty’s best season lay ahead – he’d win a stunning 37 games in 1908 with a miniscule 1.43 ERA. Mathewson would go on to record 373 wins before he enlisted in Army in World War I. He would pass away from tuberculosis in 1925 at the young age of 45. Mathewson was immortalized in 1936 when he was among the first five inductees elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. This iconic 1907 Type 1 silver gelatin
photograph measures 6 1/2” x 8 1/2” and shows the expected edge wear and rounding to the corners. Upon close inspection it appears there is some creasing and paper abrasions or loss on the lower corners, possibly the results of being stored in a photo album. The reverse of the photo carries famed baseball photographer Paul Thompson’s stamp as well as a handwritten pencil notation simple stating “Mathewson.” There is glue and water residue present and overall toning, but nothing that affects the front image. The photo has been encapsulated and graded a Type 1 Authentic by PSA.