1914 E145 Cracker Jack #88 Christy Mathewson PSA POOR 1

Classic example of Christy Mathewson from the 1914 Cracker Jack #144 series. This is one of the rarest and most desirable of all Mathewson cards and one of the most important of all Cracker Jacks. Christy Mathewson appears in a horizontal pitching pose in the 1914 Cracker Jack set, as opposed to the more familiar portrait pose of the 1915 set. Because there is no 1915 Cracker Jack alternative to the 1914 Cracker Jack Mathewson pitching pose, this card is of particularly great significance to Cracker Jack and Hall of Fame card collectors. It is universally recognized as one of the rarest and most important Cracker Jack cards, and is recognized as the key signature card of the entire 1914 Cracker Jack set. The offered card features a bold red background and a strong image of Mathewson. The caramel staining, while noticeable, isn't severe (serious staining can often be a problem with 1914 Cracker Jacks because the 1914 cards were only distributed in boxes of Cracker Jack, as opposed to cards from the 1915 "factory sets." Graded POOR 1 by PSA largely due to heavy creasing. Despite its flaws, this remains a presentable example of this significant prewar card featuring key Hall of Famer Christy Mathewson.