Altered 1914 Cracker Jack Christy Mathewson
 

I noticed in the recent Heritage Auction that there was a 1914 CJ Matty with a large piece cut off the corner. I owned another one like that some years ago. I've also seen a number of Mattys with the same problem, though it isn't always the same corner. I'm wondering if anyone knows a reason for this. I haven't noticed it with other players in the 1914 set. I'm no expert on that set, so I'm hoping some of you have an answer.

Thanks Chris.

Could they have been marked as redemptions from a local candy store promotion?

Great question Sean! I have nothing to contribute but I sure hope we get some answers.

A redemption is an interesting theory, but why just Matty? Could it somehow have to do with the fact that it’s only in 1914 (no 1915 equivalent)…

I was always was under the impression- talking with older dealers-- the corners were susceptible to be torn off after being removed from the original cracker jack boxes. Matty is not the only player from the 14 set you see with corners missing. I have seen almost every player with a corner missing on my journey to collect the set.

1914 Cracker Jack are on a brittle stock. I suspect many lost corners when mounted or removed from albums that used photo corners or simply slits to hold the cards.

As thin as they are I'm surprised that any of them survived without tears or creases. Fun to see those Mattys lined up.

This makes the most sense to me.

I own 8 1914 Cracker Jack cards. Every single one of them has at least one corner missing. The cards are thin and brittle, and if I am not careful, the Miller shown might shed its top left corner at the crease the next time I handle it, and I believe the bottom right on the Meyers is fortified with tape to prevent another slice from cleaving off.

Brian

These are pretty amazing cards to hold in hand. They feel as though they're on rice paper. Their shockingly small size but mighty images and bold red color are quite astounding. Regarding their condition, grading companies will actually reject them for grading if there is too much paper loss and they're at risk of falling apart with transfers between multiple graders.

I would gladly take one any one great cards, great looking, and those “defects”/blemishes give it character

Someone is very lucky to have them in their collections

I only have 2 in my collection but this one shows how brittle the cards are

Not just Matty.

I only own two but guess I am lucky in that neither of them have tears. Sorry for the poor scan of the second one.

My CJ Honus is missing his corners as well

Internet high five!