Lot # 2297: 1922 Christy Mathewson and John McGraw Dual-Signed Baseball - JSA

This red-and-black stitched Official National League baseball (Heydler) features the signatures of two baseball immortals: John McGraw and Christy Mathewson. This is an extraordinary dual-signed ball. McGraw and Mathewson will forever be linked as the heart and soul of the Giants team during the first two decades of the century. Both signatures have been scripted in black fountain pen. McGraw has boldly scripted "J. J. McGraw," which fills the entire side panel and extends into the sweet spot. The signature of Mathewson appears on the opposite side panel. The notation "Oct 4-1922" is printed between McGraw and Mathewson's signatures. This date is significant as it marks Game 1 of the 1922 World Series between the New York Giants and New York Yankees held at the Polo Grounds. According to our consignor's letter (which can be viewed on our website), this ball has been a family heirloom since the day it was acquired in 1922. Despite the fact that Mathewson and McGraw were with the New York Giants, as player and manager, respectively, for 15 seasons (1902-1916), balls signed by just the two of them are practically nonexistent. This is only the second example we have offered in the past 22 years. Mathewson's signature, which is exceedingly rare in any form due to the fact that he passed away prematurely in 1925, has always been highly prized by collectors, especially alone on a baseball. Because of the unique positioning of each signature, this ball could easily display as a single for either Hall of Famer. The ball is moderately soiled throughout and a number of surface abrasions are visible. The manufacturer's stampings are slightly faded. In Fair condition. A single-signed Mathewson ball is valued at many tens of thousands of dollars. In a world where a ball with more than one signature traditionally sells for a small fraction of what a single-signed ball would sell for, we can't help but think that this unique ball might actually be preferred to a Matty single by some collectors. Just as Ruth and Gehrig are a special combination on a ball, so are Mathewson and McGraw, though this may be the only Mathewson-McGraw dual-signed ball we will ever see offered at public auction. Full LOA from James Spence/JSA.