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Graded VG 40 by SGC. Presented is a very attractive example of one of vintage-card collecting's most highly prized classics: Christy Mathewson from the 1914 Cracker Jack #144 series. Only four examples have been graded higher by SGC. 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 significant Cracker Jack cards, and is the key signature card of the entire 1914 Cracker Jack set. This example is strong for the grade, with flawless registration, bold color, and honest wear to the corners. Two creases are visible (more so from the reverse) along the top and in the lower right portion of the card. Both front and back are clean with minimal caramel staining present, a stark contrast to most examples, which usually display heavy staining from their exposure to the Cracker Jacks within the package. Cards from the 1914 series were only available directly from packages of Cracker Jacks and were not available in a boxed-set form, as was the case with the 1915 set. This is a very attractive mid-grade example of this classic and significant prewar card featuring key Hall of Famer Christy Mathewson. Reserve $10,000. Estimate (open).