Opening Day Auction 2014
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/26/2014
National Champions! Offered is an extremely rare brass napkin holder made to honor the consecutive National Championships won by the 1930 and 1931 Fighting Irish football teams. Led by Knute Rockne, that 1930 team went undefeated to capture the last title of Rockne's legendary career, as he died in a plane crash a year later on March 31, 1931. However, the tremendous talent Rockne recruited and developed over the last couple years rewarded the school with six more victories to run their winning streak to 26 before losing to Southern Cal. This commemorative collectible was produced after Rockne's death to honor his last Championship team and the winning streak. The napkin holder has Rockne's image at the top of a football embossed with facsimile signatures of the 1930 Notre Dame squad. Spread out within each corner is the term "Notre Dame ‘30 National Champions" with additional “’31” in lower right corner, the last season of the streak. The back section includes raised lettering with “Notre Dame’s Consecutive Victories “’29 ’30 ‘31” with a complete listing of team Notre Dame beat during their 26 game winning streak plus the scores. The bottom features “Copyrighted, manufactured & Sold by H.J. Yaley 423 Odd Fellows Building South Bend, - INDIANA.” The holder exhibits wear from normal everyday use and remains in Excellent condition. This rare holder is much more difficult than the one issued solely for the 1930 National Championship team without the 1931 reference and the 26 game winning streak.