Show your Christy Mathewson Photos

[Kawika]

I've shown this photo probably too many times already but it's a Matty photo thread and this is a Matty photo so what the heck. I originally was led to believe that the image was dated 1905 but subsequently saw that it was used in the 1903 NYG Sorting Life composite so Matty would have been 23 years old. Photographer was Benjamin Falk, a prominent NYC photographer in those days, the bulk of whose subjects were theatrical people.

[jacksons]

I agree Jonathan. One of the great Matty items to come to auction in recent years.

[GKreindler]

Well, I don't actually have these originals, but I DEFINITELY plan on painting them. Someday.

The first is from 1913 (the same year as Rick's photo), and features Charles Conlon's son I believe. The second is from the year after, with former teammate Roger Bresnahan.





Man, there aren't enough great images of Matty out there.

Graig

[bijoem]

Prediction: this will become my favorite thread.


awesome, awesome stuff.

[gnaz01]

I have included a picture of the entire game, just to show the Carl Horner portraits. However, I have never seen a portrait of Matty like this one. Now, I am no picture guru, as many are on here, but does a photo of Christy in this form exist?

[Jacklitsch]

[patricka]

Original snapshot picture of Mathewson and McGraw. Picture is taken at Wrigley Field (right field in background) and is I believe it is from 1919 to 1921when Mathewson was a coach with the Giants. I think I identified the year at one time based on the Giants uniform style.

[baseballart]

Another book cover with Matty

[sphere and ash]

The Mathewson image on the game certainly looks like Horner's work--Horner used a studio lighting method called "Rembrandt lighting" that puts one-half of the subject's face in shadow, but characteristically produces a triangle of light on the shadowed cheek. I have never seen an original.

Conlon, by the way, had no children. I think you mean Conlon's nephew, Jimmy Gralich, who is pictured in the McCabe's book imitating Matty.

[thekingofclout]

Originally Posted by Kawika

I've shown this photo probably too many times already but it's a Matty photo thread and this is a Matty photo so what the heck. I originally was led to believe that the image was dated 1905 but subsequently saw that it was used in the 1903 NYG Sorting Life composite so Matty would have been 23 years old. Photographer was Benjamin Falk, a prominent NYC photographer in those days, the bulk of whose subjects were theatrical people.

Falk was one of the early masters, no doubt about it. Right there with Horner, Hall, Van Oeyen & Conlon.

BTW Dave... your Matty is my favorite image of him and I'll never get tired of looking at it.

[jacksons]

Greg -

The portrait of Matty on that box...I found the attached on gettyimages.com.

While it's not the same angle, it's likely from the same day.

The image details didn't offer up the photographer, but you may be able to find it again on Corbis or another resource.

[gnaz01]

Originally Posted by jacksons

Greg -

The portrait of Matty on that box...I found the attached on gettyimages.com.

While it's not the same angle, it's likely from the same day.

The image details didn't offer up the photographer, but you may be able to find it again on Corbis or another resource.

Awesome, thanks. I love that pic of Matty and the game feature 16 portraits as shown, with at least 15 of them (that I know of) being Horner's. I just hadn't found the Matty in Horner's before, so I appreciate the reference and I will look it up. Much appreciated.

[B O'Brien]

I'm just an onlooker from the card side, but I love me some pics and some Matty, so this one has been a good one to watch. Nice stuff guys and gals.
Thanks,
Bob

[Forever Young]

Matty Type 1 G.G. Bain

[GKreindler]

GREAT shot, Ben. The clarity and contrast are both pretty darn amazing. I really dig the sky dipping through the stands behind Matty. And, ya gotta love that sweater. They really just don't make 'em like that anymore. What year are we thinking it dates from? 1909?

[Forever Young]

Thank you Graigorius. You have a very watchful eye. I am thinking around 1909 yes...
Why?...
Well..from the hat and his face; definitely pre 1912 and most likely pre 1910. Do you agree??

Originally Posted by GKreindler

GREAT shot, Ben. The clarity and contrast are both pretty darn amazing. I really dig the sky dipping through the stands behind Matty. And, ya gotta love that sweater. They really just don't make 'em like that anymore. What year are we thinking it dates from? 1909?

[Forever Young]

I love these two...

1. Matty as an officer playing checkers with "the boys".
- It is said that checkers was "The Christian Gentleman's" only vice. Christy Mathewson was an accomplished checkers player, once having defeated Newell Banks, world champion checkers player from 1917-22 and 1933-34? I AM CURRENTLY IN COOPERSTOWN AND JUST SAW SOME OF CHRISTY'S PERSONALLY OWNED CHECKERS DISPLAYED. PRETTY DARN COOL...
1918 TYPE 1 PHOTO

COOPERSTOWN TODAY:



2. CHRISTY IN FULL UNIFORM BEING SENT HOME WITH CHEMICALLY INDUCED SICKNESS.
-In 1918, Mathewson enlisted in the United States Army for World War I. He served overseas as a Captain in the newly formed Chemical Service along with Ty Cobb. While in France, during a training exercise he was accidentally gassed and consequently developed tuberculosis which ultimately killed him prematurely.
1919 TYPE 1 PHOTO

[jacksons]

A fellow board member was kind enough to sell this early Mathewson photo to me many years ago.

This appears to be from 1904, based on the uniform. Faint pencil markings are on the reverse. The image is cropped to about 3"x4", so many markings are absent. However, the paper stock appears consistent with period photographs. As an owner of a few Bains, I wouldn't be surprised if it was one of his.

Anyway, it's my favorite image of him. Never seen a copy. Photos of Matty from this early in his career are tough to pass up.

Forgive the scan - it's an iPhoto through the frame glass.

[TCardFan]

Originally Posted by Kawika

I've shown this photo probably too many times already but it's a Matty photo thread and this is a Matty photo so what the heck. I originally was led to believe that the image was dated 1905 but subsequently saw that it was used in the 1903 NYG Sorting Life composite so Matty would have been 23 years old. Photographer was Benjamin Falk, a prominent NYC photographer in those days, the bulk of whose subjects were theatrical people.

Looks like this Falk cabinet card was stolen from the Hall of Fame.

http://haulsofshame.com/blog/?p=1639

If you check the cabinet card back, that's how Kawika "originally was led to believe that the image was dated 1905..."



The back of this Mathewson photo reveals the Hall of Fame's "PD" designation for "Public Domain." In addition, the museum's accession numbers have been either covered or removed. This card sold for over $12,000 in a 2008 MastroNet auction.

Is the FBI reading?

[TCardFan]

The Hall of Fame markings on the reverse of the stolen Falk Mathewson cabinet card most likely indicate the names of Bob Pierro and Frank Rollyns and "see neg. file". The third obscured line is likely the "BL" accession number denoting the donor information.

Oops!

[RichardSimon]

There is a witness to the actual theft of items from the Hall of Fame.
There are several witnesses who actually purchased some of these items and scratched away the white out on the back of the item and found out where the items came from.
It is an old story. The FBI knows who did it.
From my understanding of the story, at the time, the HOF declined to prosecute the offender because they did not want the negative publicity which would have occurred if this were exposed.
Some people know who the thief is.
--

[TCardFan]

Why was the Mathewson Falk cabinet front pic removed from this thread?

Hope it finds its way to the HOF archive where it belongs!

[Leon]

Originally Posted by TCardFan

Why was the Mathewson Falk cabinet front pic removed from this thread?

Hope it finds its way to the HOF archive where it belongs!

First of all please don't post the pic of the cabinet again. It is being taken care of and the current owner doesn't want it up. The HOF and lawyers have been notifed and it is being handled in legal ways. David, the owner, is a good friend and board member. He is also a very stand up guy and is doing the right thing. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask and/or you can PM me. thanks

[Kawika]

I am grateful to all of you who have refrained from turning this thread into a lynch mob. Peter Nash will not dictate what I do nor will a foaming-mouth troll. This is a serious matter. It will be dealt with. 'Nuf ced.