Winter 2020 Catalog Auction Ending Feb 22

Lot #4: 1960 Actual Heisman Trophy Award Presented To Al Helfer For Lifetime Contributions - Original and Actual Heisman Trophy Made to Exact Specifications as All Other Heisman Trophies

Description

The Thinker. The Discus Thrower. The Statue of David. The Heisman? Some may dismiss the idea of a 20th Century football trophy belonging in such elite company as the sculptures of Rodin, Myron and Michelangelo. But in the realm of American pop culture, there are few visual touchstones as famously familiar as the "Heisman pose": football cradled in the left arm, right hand outstretched to repel defenders, legs lunging mid-stride.

This Heisman Trophy has a unique story. Al Helfer, who was a longtime emcee for the annual banquet held by the Downtown Athletic Club, was presented this honorary trophy in 1960 for his many years of service. This trophy was made to the exact specifications presented annually to the top collegiate football player in the United States.

Helfer was not only the prominent voice of the Downtown Athletic Club in their presentation of the Heisman Trophy, but he was also a renowned baseball announcer – nicknamed “Mr. Radio Baseball”. Helfer’s play-by-play voice was heard in seven World Series, 10 All-Star Games and was the lead broadcaster for teams like the New York Yankees, Brooklyn Dodgers and Oakland A’s. Helfer was awarded the Ford C. Frick Award posthumously in 2018 for Excellence in Broadcasting from the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Goldin Auctions is proud to offer the very trophy awarded to longtime master of ceremonies award presenter Al Helfer. This award is a nice patina bronze figure—originally rendered in 1935 by noted sculptor Frank Eliscu, who used NYU star Ed Smith as his model—perches on a plinth measuring 6 ½ x 13 ½ inches, which is then mounted atop a trapezoidal black base spanning a perimeter of 10 ½ x 17 ½ inches.

The unique aspect of this trophy was that it was at one altered making appear to be the Heisman Trophy presented to 1978 winner Billy Sims of the University of Oklahoma. After an investigation by the FBI, they determined that this trophy was indeed the one presented to Helfer. The trophy’s nameplate, removed when replaced with the Sims’ plate and returned by the FBI without a nameplate, has since been restored to its original version. The case documentation, which we have reviewed in detail, details the story of this award. The restored gold plate reads, "PRESENTED TO AL HELFER BY THE DOWNTOWN ATHLETIC CLUB IN GRATEFULL APPRECIATION FOR HIS EXCELLENT PRESENTATION OF MANY HEISMAN MEMORIAL TROPHY AWARDS" The award is in excellent condition with only minor edge wear on the base.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This Heisman Trophy Award is the exact Trophy that was awarded to Al Helfer and is the same specifications as the trophies awarded to the best collegiate Football player that season.  The trophy weighs approxmately 39 lbs.  PLEASE NOTE: A duplicate Heisman Trophy that was not awarded to a player sold in excess of $100,000 recently in a public auction.  ESTIMATED VALUE $150,000+

Final Bid (Includes Buyers Premium):$57,600
Minimum Bid:$30,000
Number of Bids:7