A Century of Memories Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/8/2009
Historic Jim Thorpe autograph dates from the legendary American athlete’s remarkable performance at the 1912 Olympics. This rare treasure from our Swedish consignor is the only known example of Thorpe’s signature from the Stockholm games. Featuring Thorpe’s rarely used proper first name, “James”, this 97-year-old autograph has been certified authentic by PSA. Thorpe, who won gold in both the pentathlon and the decathlon, has signed “James Thorpe, Carlisle. Pa. Indian School, All round man U.S.A.” on a blank autograph page. He received special awards for his Olympic track and field titles from Russia’s Czar Nicholas and King Gustav of Sweden, the host nation. “You, sir, are the greatest athlete in the world,” Gustav said as he presented his award to Thorpe, who famously replied, “Thanks, King.” One year later, Thorpe was stripped of his gold medals by the International Olympic Committee after it was revealed that he had played professional baseball prior to competing in Stockholm. Unlike a number of college players who used aliases to protect their amateur status while they earned a pittance to play minor league ball during the summer months, Thorpe had used his own name when he played in the Eastern Carolina League in 1909 and 1910. He went on to a Hall of Fame career in pro football. Named the greatest athlete of the first half of the 20th Century by the Associated Press, Thorpe died in 1953. His supporters waged a lengthy campaign to have Thorpe’s Olympic titles reinstated and the effort bore fruit in 1982, when the IOC declared him co-champion of both events, restoring his name to the record books. This remarkable Jim Thorpe autograph from the 1912 Olympic Games comes with a letter of authenticity from PSA. Please note that this item is subject to a silent reserve.
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