Winter 2014 Auction Closing Feb 7
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/8/2014
The S81 silks were issued as special premiums by Helmar Turkish Trophy cigarettes in 1911, and the set was part of the very same premium promotion which produced the T3 Turkey Red cabinet card set and the distinctive L1 leathers tobacco issue. One silk could be obtained by mail in exchange for 25 Helmar coupons, which were packed one per package with Helmar Turkish Trophy Cigarettes. One of the players available was Christy Mathewson, who is presented here in his famous pitching pose. The S81 silks are extremely fragile, with fraying of the edges very common. While this Mathewson has full borders on three sides, it also has more than its share of fraying along the bottom edge coming up below his name. The reason for this fraying might have been this particular example was also used as part of a stitched pillow, with stitch marking visible on the top and both sides. There is also some creasing, but the Matty image still displays nicely with bold color, and sharp registration. This is a nice example of the very popular Mathewson S81 silk.