UPDATE AFTER RESTORATION: Mathewson Tuxedo Sign
 

I'm generally fine with vintage wear on a piece like this, but it would look so much better if you could lightly clean up the face a little. That is such a great piece. Good luck

I believe its a perfect candidate for restoration. Don't know what you paid, but would have to believe a quality restoration job would enhance the value tremendousy.

Besides, it looks like Matty has a lip piercing and eye tattoo. And I know those things were NOT in vogue in the early 1900s :eek:

I would say do it!

I agree with both of the previous posters. Restore Matty!

Beautiful piece! You need a "maybe" option:p

Wanted to add...

For the purists who would argue that these things should be kept in their original form (and I used to be one of them...)

The tears and missing chunks of paper are not "original" to the piece. So it is already "altered" in some fashion. I just don't see any harm in enhancing/improving its appearance. I also think that with paper items, we need to be a bit more forgiving of restoration than with other forms of memorabilia.

Just my .02 :)

So who is the best paper restoration company out there??

I voted to restore.

I don't have any personal experience, Greg, but this company was the one mentioned in John's old thread about the Leland's A&G banner awhile back. Based on comments in the thread, their work does not come cheap, but it is top-notch. The examples they post on their website are amazing! Good luck with whatever you decide.

http://www.graphicconservation.com/

I'm torn when it comes to this sign (sorry for the pun) but I've asked the same question about the Victors Base Ball sign I posted awhile back. I still haven't decided what I want to do with it. Sounds like I'm in the minority on this one but because most of its there I vote maybe clean it but leave everything else alone. Leave the missing pieces.

restore
 

if it were just the edges or an inconsequential area or two I would leave it be. I believe the overall aethetics are negatively impacted by the placement of some the damage in a central area and it would bother me. I rarely restore anything and after an experiential lesson or two only buy something needing restoration when it is INEXPENSIVE as conservation comes at a pretty steep price (often 100.-200. an hour).
For your peace of mind true conservation allows for the item to be returned to the state it was in before doing the work. I had 3/4 pieces done by GCC in the mid to late 90's (actually based on Bill Mastro's personal recomendation) and honestly they did a superior job.

I've been thinking about your situation. It's a beauty and I'm dying to say restore it because of the two key areas on his face. But there's something about adding paper stock to fill in the tear (for example) that doesn't feel right to me. To me that's adding something "new" to something " old".

But using the Allen & Ginter poster as an example, the hobby seems fine w high end restorations as long as it's disclosed.

So net, net Greg, after being around antiques and vintage stuff for about 35 years, i say restore it. Make it look great.

I've just given a major piece to Paul messier in Boston. Not to restore but to preserve. They haven't started work yet but met him and his team and have utmost confidence in them.

How big is Christy? It's beautiful. Congrats

Peter

Thanks Peter, it is roughly 14" X 19".

My opinion
 

Greg, I personally think you should get rid of it. I cannot imagine that someone would want that torn and tattered excuse for an image of a Matty. I will also volunteer to take it off of your hands and properly get rid of it on my wall for the next 20 years.

Agree with the rest of the guys, restore. If it was not aesthetically distracting then I would say no, but the way it is, yes. I think it will add value to it also. As always, when selling then the transparency of what was done is a must and a plus!!

one last thought
 

Captain Obvious for sure - but low grade workmanship will leave you with a product you will not be happy with and it will lose any percieved value. Expert work will make it easier to look at, allow for easier sale when the time comes, and in most cases there is an inherent appreciation of value when compared to the cost of the restoration assuming you bought right.

Thanks all, I have emailed Graphic Conservation in Chicago because I understand they're the best, but haven't heard anything back as yet.

GREAT piece sir. Can't wait to see how it comes out

They are who preserved my 1903 Horner League Composite. Give them a call, they pick up the phone.

Who uses a phone to call these days? :p. It's all about text and email I thought!

I would restore the piece because the damage is in such significant areas. Make sure to include the information about the restoration as well as photos when you sell.

My smartphone is for me using a phone when I am away from home. I sold technology for 21 yrs and never could, and still don't, like it. Of course my 17 yr old daughter has her Iphone stuck to her.. I think she would convulse without it.

Hey there Greg & All!

I thought about it for a while... All along Mesmerized by the way it looked!
I then voted "No" in Your Poll. I also was eager to see what the vote would be.

28 Yes to 12 No!

But I only see the Yea's Commenting? I would of liked to hear some of the Nay's opinion's. Oh well...

I came to the conclusion that if I was to purchase it, I would rather that it be in it's original vintage state!

Oh, & as it You will have it... I can't wait to see Matty in His NeW attire.

Either way though... 'Brilliant Piece!!!"

I didn't vote but I think it is "whole" enough and striking enough that I would leave it as is.

congrats on the purchase. that's an awesome display. I'm normally not in favor of restoration but in this case.. RESTORE IT!

Albert

I say keep it original. Once you restore it and start adding modern stuff to it I personally think it takes away from it

Voted no in the poll. Also in the same camp as HR here and really like how Christy looks after all these years of battling life. There`s something to be said for character and this beautiful piece certainly has it, it looks AWESOME as is. Baseball greatest allure, for me anyway, is it`s history and this piece in it`s present state screams history. Beautiful

Great piece Greg! I have also used Graphic Conservation and would highly recommend them if you decided to restore this piece. I don't have a picture of my restoration posted yet but will take a picture at some point and post it as it was a neat 1889 Boston BBC lithograph. They did a very nice clean up and deacidification of the print. A great pick up regardless of whether or not you get it restored.

I vote for not "restoring" the piece, but a professional cleaning would be good.

I have used :
Poster Mountain
8749 Shirley Ave. Unit B
Northridge, CA 91324
T: 818.882.1214
www.postermountain.com

And was quite happy with their service.

Doug

Updated with framed pic

It looks really great framed Greg.

Greg,

I think you made a damn good choice - it looks absolutely stunning. I've always found it amazing how much a great frame can augment a piece or painting. This is most certainly a top notch example of that. I think you and your framer created one hell of a museum-quality display. Bravo!

Graig

Beautifully framed and unrestored.
That's a cornerstone piece there.
Congrats!

Greg,
Congrats, I agree with the previous posters. This turned out unbelievable! :cool:

It looks great in the frame. Nice job. I am sticking to my original vote of yes but it does look really good the way it is.

Looks great! Any chance you could add the "before" pic back to the original post so that we can see before and after?

did you cut out the "blood drip" next to Matty's left eye?

No, the framer used a yellowish background to not make it so obvious

Great choice Greg. Looks excellent framed. Another hi end addition to your collection.:)

A gritty stunner, thanks for posting.

Greg- It looks great. The perfect frame for the piece. Stunning. Either direction you went would been acceptable.

so, that is a tear/hole and you showed your sign on a burgundy background in you first post? :confused:

Yes, maroon to be specific ;)

potato, potahto.....I don't know the difference :D

I never told you....it looks great. Matty was a little before my time but a great Giant is a great Giant.

Greg...

Is the new background mat beige or cream colored? :rolleyes:

Looks great either way... beautiful framing job!

I was thinking more taupe or ecru.

More of a yellowish

Okay Honestly(imvho)...

I had to let Greg's(Hey there Greg!)... His Frame take it's toll on me.

When I just Now Looked at it, It took to me! Wow!!!
What a "BRILLIANT LOOK, TRULY!"

When I first viewed it, I thought the Frame might of been a bit much...
Did it take away from the actual "MATTY"?

So I let it lye for a Couple of days... And I Now Think that Greg Really has an Eye for these type of things.

Added restored picture in Post #1

Ummm, ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!

Who did the work, if you don't mind sharing? Do you have a list of what was done to it? Fantastic work, whoever did it. Excellent choice, Greg!

It does look amazing!!!!