1915 Christy Mathewson Baseball Magazine Premium

Sold For:

$360

Year:

1915

Auction:

2020 Spring

Lot #:

1792

Category:

Post-1900 Baseball Memorabilia

In January 1915, Baseball Magazine rewarded its readers by including a special art print of Christy Mathewson (by noted illustrator J. F. Kernan) that was designed to be removed for display. The same premium was later offered in a special "Park Edition" of Baseball Magazine that was exclusively produced for sale at Major League ballparks in April of that same year. Offered here is one of those Mathewson premiums carefully removed (as intended) from the center of this special edition of Baseball Magazine. The premium, which is produced on a special heavy, slick, art-print stock (which is very different and far superior to the stock of the pages of Baseball Magazine), pictures Mathewson seated in the dugout wearing a red New York Giants sweater. Mathewson's name is printed directly below, as are the directions "Cut This Out And Frame." A 1914 Baseball Magazine copyright appears on the lower left corner. This is a very scarce premium and one of only a few that we have seen over the years. Interesting note: Artist J. F. Kernan was an extremely prominent illustrator, and he produced cover paintings for the Saturday Evening Post and many other prestigious magazines. He obviously had a special connection to Baseball Magazine as in addition to this premium, numerous early Baseball Magazine covers were also painted by Kernan. The premium (6.75 x 9.75 inches) displays four small string holes along the left border (as issued, the print was issued bound in the center of the magazine) as well as the lower right corner is missing. A few edge tears and minor surface wrinkles are also evident. In Fair to Good condition overall. It should be noted that nearly all of the flaws can easily be matted out and, if framed, the piece would display magnificently as Very Good. Reserve $200. Estimate (open).