Christy Mathewson was one of the gentlemen of baseball’s early years, and one of the players most responsible for curating baseball’s reputation as a game played by outlaw ruffians into a sport for the sophisticated and elite. A graduate of Bucknell College in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, Mathewson joined the New York Giants for the 1900 season at the tender age of 19. While it took a few seasons for Mathewson to develop into the formidable pitcher he became, he quickly adjusted to life as a Big Leaguer. In 1903, “Matty” won 30 games for the first time in his career, while leading the league in strikeouts (267), and maintaining an ERA 2.26. His 267 punchouts stood as the National League record for over half a century before another great New York pitcher, Sandy Koufax, eclipsed his vaunted mark.

At the same time as his career took off, Mathewson became the toast of New York due to his frequent advertising deals and the flowing prose of his frequent newspaper columns. In 1912, Mathewson authored one of baseball’s seminal tomes, Pitching in a Pinch, as well as a play, The Girl and the Pennant. A true renaissance man, Mathewson never let his celebrity get the better of him.

Peerless on the field, Mathewson won 30 games in a season four times, including a career high of 37 in 1908. He struck out 2,507 batters during his 17-season career, a staggering number in the deadball era. Mathewson’s final game came in 1916, after a midseason trade to the Cincinnati Reds. He faced his fellow ace and Hall of Famer, Mordecai “Three-Finger” Brown, in a matchup of grizzled veterans. Pitching a complete game, Mathewson twirled his famous “fadeaway” screwball one final time, defeating Brown and his Cubs in an entertaining 10-8 contest.

Unfortunately for Mathewson, his health began failing him after an accidental exposure to mustard gas while stationed in France during World War I. After attempting to return to baseball in 1925 as the president of the Boston Braves, Mathewson succumbed to the tuberculosis he was diagnosed with in 1921. 11 years after his death, Mathewson was honored as a part of the inaugural class of the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

This check, “No. 119” from the Adirondack National Bank of “Saranac Lake, N.Y.”, is for the stated value of $57.70. It is dated to May 18, 1922, six years after Mathewson’s retirement as a player. The check is made out to “Pennsylvania Rubber Co of American Inc.” Mathewson signed the bottom of the check in black fountain pen. His signature projects beautifully and is unaltered by age. The check is in excellent condition, save for several cancellation hole punches that do not encroach upon Mathewson’s pristine signature. This item has been encapsulated by PSA/DNA (84166685) and has been graded a NM-MT 8.

Auction Notepad