1911 National League Champion New York Giants Team-Signed Resolution feat. Christy Mathewson - Presented to William Fox (PSA)

Auction: Summer Classic 2022

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1911 National League Champion New York Giants Team-Signed Resolution feat. Christy Mathewson - Presented to William Fox (PSA)

Extraordinary one-of-a-kind New York Giants team-signed presentationpiece dating to the club’s 1911 National League championship season. This isthe ONLY 1911 New York Giants team-signed item we have ever seen and in termsof aesthetics it could not be any finer. The Giants presented this enormous signed resolution to famed New York impresario William Fox as a token of theirappreciation after Fox staged a special theatrical performance for the club inhonor of their winning the 1911 pennant. The design features an actual portraitphotograph of Fox affixed at the top, with all the text rendered by hand ingrand calligraphic style. Hand-painted accents and illustrations complete the attractivemotif. Produced by "Ames & Rollinson - N. Y. - Illuminators" as noted in print in the lower left corner. At the base of the display is a large unlined sheet beautifully signedin black fountain pen by the following twenty-four members of the New York Giants:John McGraw (Mgr.), Christy Mathewson, Wilbert Robinson (coach), Rube Marquard, Chief Meyers (who has drawn a small cartoon image next to his signature), Fred Merkle, Fred Snodgrass, Josh Devore, Larry Doyle, Red Murray, Arlie Latham (coach), Louis Drucke, Buck Herzog, Bert Maxwell, George Burns, Beals Becker, Gene Paulette, Grover Hartley, Art Fletcher, Red Ames, Art Devlin, Art Wilson, Doc Crandall, and Hooks Wiltse.  The signatures are all uniform in grade, averaging 8/10. The 1911New York Giants, winners of 99 games, were one of McGraw’s greatest teams and thefirst of his three consecutive pennant winners from 1911 to 1913. Future Hallof Famers Christy Mathewson and Rube Marquard combined for more than half theclub’s victories, winning 26 and 24 games, respectively. Offensively, catcher ChiefMeyers led the club in batting with a .332 average, while Fred Merkle, LarryDoyle, Red Murray, and Fred Snodgrass each totaled over 70 RBI. Unfortunately,the Giants were defeated in the fall classic by the Philadelphia Athletics, whobenefited from two clutch home runs from third baseman Frank Baker (earning him the nickname “Home Run” Baker) and two victories by Chief Bender to win theSeries in six games.William Fox’s name is best remembered today as the founder of Fox Films, which became 20th Century Fox, and his name is still used in the company trademarks of Fox News and and Fox Sports. As noted in the resolution, Fox staged his special theatrical performance for the Giants on October 15, 1911, which was the date between Games 1 and 2 of the 1911 World Series. The Giants were probably in high spirits that night, as they were fresh off a victory in Game 1 of the Series, with Mathewson defeating Bender by a score of 2-1. Signed baseball items of this size and scope from the early 1900s, especially those relating to important teams such as the New York Giants, are exceedingly rare. This is one of the finest such pieces we have ever seen and the fact that it features the signature of Christy Mathewson, which is rare in any form, makes it an exceptional New York Giants team-signed item.  The resolution (17x20.75", visible dimensions) displays a light three-inch scratch near the top that extends onto the photo of Fox. Aside from that (which is barely noticeable) and several tiny specks of light foxing, the piece remains in spectacular Excellent to Mint condition and is closer to Near Mint in its overall appearance. Professionally matted and framed to total dimensions of 23.5x27.5". Full LOA from PSA.