Clean Sweep Secures ‘Big Six’ Artifacts, Coveted Cards

Fans and collectors of Christy Mathewson should take note of the current Clean Sweep Auctions sale, which includes a series of lots featuring the pitcher’s personal mementoes.

The items are part of Clean Sweep’s #234 Auction, live now and ending June 1 at www.cleansweepauctions.com.

Leading off the sale are Mathewson’s dog tags from World War I. Mathewson volunteered for World War I in 1918 and was assigned to the Chemical Weapons Service. Tragically, he was accidentally exposed to chemical weaponry during training and developed tuberculosis, which led to his death in 1925 at age 45. The dog tags, roughly 1-1/4 inches in diameter, are engraved “C. MATHEWSON CAPT. C.W.S.” on the fronts with blank backs. They were recently discovered, according to Clean Sweep, after residing in a drawer with other items since the 1970s.

Another Mathewson item in the sale is his 1914 Baseball Magazine All American Team pin, created by Dieges and Clust. The 14-karat gold pin is roughly 7/8-inch in diameter with Mathewson’s name across the top.

Two more personal items from Mathewson include his 1921 and 1925 N.Y. Giants sterling silver passes for admission into the Polo Grounds. The sale also includes a 1914 Boston Braves World Series press pin that was formerly owned by the Mathewson family.

The press pin category is quite vast in the Clean Sweep lineup, with examples ranging from a 1929 Philadelphia A’s example to a 1939 Yankees edition, along with the following: 1932 Yankees, 1933 Senators, 1935 Tigers, 1936 N.Y. Giants and 1947 Dodgers.

Graded cards are always in a spotlight at Clean Sweep. Currently leading the sale is a 1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle SGC 4.5 and a 1953 Bowman complete set with the Mantle a PSA 2.5.

The highest graded example of Cy Young 1909 W555 card is offered in PSA 8 condition. Notching the same grade is a Wayne Gretzky 1979 Topps rookie card.

Complete set or near set highlights include a 1951 Topps Red and Blue Back complete sets, 1952 Bowman near set, 1953 Johnston Cookies complete set, 1953 Spic-Span complete set, 1953 Red Man complete set, 1954 Red Heart near set with Mantle and Musial, 1955 Armour Coins complete set, 1964 Topps Stand Ups near set with Mantle and various Topps complete sets from 1956 through the 1970s.

More unique items include a signed 1965 Mickey Mantle contract with the Yankees, 1908 Chicago Cubs world championship pin, Honus Wagner cut signature, Rogers Hornsby cut signature, Cy Young signed photo and a 1950 N.Y. Yankees Old-Timer’s Day clock honoring Ed Barrow.

A 1960 Hartland statue of Dick Groat leads many examples from that category, with a few vintage bobbin heads thrown in as well.

For more information on this sale, call 516-338-8557 or visit www.cleansweepauctions.com.