A relaxed but focused Christy Mathewson observes on-field action at the Polo Grounds in this 5" x 7" original news service photo from George Grantham Bain. One of Bain's photographers has captured Matty sometime during 1908, the single most dominant season of the right-hander's career and a highly significant period in baseball history. Pitching to a minuscule 1.43 ERA, the 1908 iteration of Mathewson compiled 37 victories, including an astounding 34 complete games with 11 shutouts to show for his efforts. Note that this image can be conclusively dated to 1908 based upon both what we know about the grandstand configuration at the Polo Grounds during this time and through referencing Marc Okkonen's wonderful uniform database.

Despite winning 98 games that season the Giants were ultimately derailed by Merkle's Boner when rookie Fred Merkle failed to touch second base at the conclusion of a September 23, 1908 contest against the Cubs. With the game declared a tie the Giants and Cubs finished their campaigns deadlocked for first place at season's end. A makeup game was deemed necessary and hosted by the Giants on October 8, with the Cubs emerging victorious and eventually besting the Detroit Tigers to capture the 1908 World Series.

Photo displays moderate rounding of the corners with the central image remaining crisp and vibrant. Verso exhibits mild toning throughout with remnants of clear tape along the top edge. Large "Culver Service" stamping has been applied above a George Grantham Bain credit stamp which is largely obscured by a Culver paper label. Authenticated and encapsulated as a Type 1 photo by PSA/DNA.