Auction Item Details
Lot 358
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Lot Number: 358
Description: Important Jim Thorpe football jersey c.1911-12. There are few names that garner the level of respect in the history of organized athletics then that of Jim Thorpe. Born to Native American parents Thorpe impressed his coach (Pop Warner) at the Carlisle Indian school in 1907 by excelling in both track and football. After a brief two year hiatus Thorpe returned to Carlisle in 1911 and 1912 to become an All-American in both seasons. At the Olympic Games of 1912 Thorpe won the title as the World' Greatest Athlete winning both the pentathalon and decathalon and if that was not enough he then went on to play professional baseball for six seasons while organizing a pro football team from Canton, Ohio. In 1950 he was selected as the Athlete of the first half of the 20th century and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963. The offered jersey is of a dark brown wool knit retaining its' original Spalding tag inside front tail. Jersey front features large white "C" and on the sleeves are three rings of white surrounding red. Shirt shows great usage wear including several embroidered hole repairs (period) and has turned down collar which has been stitched onto body. The import and rarity of such a piece cannot be overstated given the significance of Thorpe in American sport and the scarcity of uniform pieces from his era. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this jersey will be donated by Joel Platt to the Jim Thorpe Association Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame. Originated from the Jim Thorpe collection via Michael Lopota and includes Jim Thorpe auto. 8"x10" photo personalized to Lopota. Jersey will be accompanied by numerous pieces of documentation to include: letter of provenance from Joel Platt, photocopies of period letters and postcards relating to Michael Lopota/Jim Thorpe, letter from Grace Thorpe acknowledging the donation of proceeds to the Thorpe Association HOF, letter from the Thorpe Assoc. HOF acknowledging donation of proceeds, LOA from PSA/DNA J.Spence-S.Grad (autographed photo). Jersey will also include a fine custom made frame which houses the jersey and auto. photo: VG-EX
Estimated Price: (Estimate Upon Request)
