(LOT 2132)
Extensive Collection of Autographed Jim Thorpe First Day Covers Signed by Nearly 100 NFL Players and Coaches (373) BAS COAs
It is an amazing and rare honor to be chosen as the subject for a postage stamp and the legendary Jim Thorpe, whose athletic career spanned football, baseball, track and field and lacrosse (among other sports we must assume), justifiably earned such an honor in 1984. Just days short of Thorpe's 96th birthday, hundreds of locals of Shawnee, Oklahoma (near Thorpe's birthplace) gathered at Shawnee Junior High to celebrate local hero and one of the greatest athletes in American history, Jim Thorpe. Along with members Pro Football Hall of Fame, postmaster's office and the American First-Day Covers Society attended the highly anticipated event immortalizing Thorpe on a postage stamp issued as of May 24, 1984. Offered here is an extensive collection of Jim Thorpe-themed First Day covers autographed by hundreds of the NFL's greatest players ever.

This comprehensive trove features no less than 20 different versions of Jim Thorpe FDCs with various lithographic and photographic stampings. Each FDC was then signed by an NFL player or coach. Included in this exceptional array of 373 Jim Thorpe First Day Covers dated May 24, 1984 from the Shawnee, Oklahoma postage station are five Bronko Nagurskis, who by this time was suffering from severe arthritis in his hands, (he would pass away only six years later.) and five "Red" Granges as well as Jim Brown, Bobby Layne, Johnny Unitas, Doak Walker, Charley Trippi, Bart Starr, John Madden and O.J. Simpson. (There are also 16/18 NFL themed first day covers included in this lot.) FDC collectors may also note that included in this assembly are rare pairs of both Mac Speedie and Ed Sprinkle, two highly sought-after autographs. This is a virtual Who's Who of Canton heroes signed First Day Covers honoring arguably one of the greatest athletes in American history.

MIN BID $1,500
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