From the 1930s through the 1970s, the Helms Athletic Foundation played a prominent part in promoting and recognizing Collegiate Athletics. The Helms Athletic Foundation was founded in the mid-1930s by early sports memorabilia collector Bill Schroeder and Paul Hoy Helms, owner of the Helms Bakery Company in Los Angeles. Helms had long been a supporter of sports - he was raised by his uncle, William “Dummy” Hoy, the deaf-mute baseball player who is credited with developing umpire hand signals, and his bread was the first product given an official product endorsement by the Olympics in 1932. Each year Helms honored a worthy athlete or coach, and this presentation plaque honors none other than the inventor of basketball - James Naismith. Honored for “Noteworthy Contributions National Association of Intercollegiate Basketball” the piece has been signed by Paul Helms, chairman of the Helms Hall of Fame. The plaque’s wood base shows some scuffs and abrasions from age but displays nicely. A great presentation piece awarded to the man whose name is on the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Please note that this lot has a 25% Buyer’s Premium (28% if payment is made using a credit card and/or is not paid within 10 days of invoice). Goldin Auctions will be donating 5% of the winning bid price to The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

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