Auction Item Details
Lot 95
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Lot Number: 95
Description: Historically significant Christy Mathewson World War I doughboy jacket with PSA/DNA Type "I" photograph. Green wool jacket issued to Christy Mathewson while serving in the Chemical Warfare Service in France during World War I. An included 3.5"x6.5" sepia toned photograph (authenticated and encapsulated as "Type I" by PSA) shows him in full uniform wearing this same coat. On each shoulder are his Captain rank identification insignia and the neckline has the "U.S." and gas service insignia pins on either side. On the right sleeve is a sewn on red Keystone patch representing membership in the Pennsylvania National Guard. Unmarked aside from a small tag in one interior pocket which has a "May...1918" date stamp. In very fine overall condition with expected light use and some minor storage wear including a few scuffs/pulls to the material. Mathewson's time spent overseas began with his enlistment in the Army in 1918. It would be a short lived adventure with the armistice that ended the global conflict signed later that year. It proved ill fated when he inhaled chemical gas during a training exercise which permanently damaged his lungs. It is exceedingly rare to have a directly attributable item of this type to so notable a figure and it is certainly the most significant baseball player related World War I piece we have handled. Includes Mathewson Collection certificate of provenance: EXEstimated Price Range: ($25,000-$50,000)