Summer Premier Auction 2014
Wed, Aug 6, 2014 08:00PM EDT - Sun, Aug 24, 2014 11:00AM EDT
Timed Auction
Lot 235
C. LATE 1940'S STARTING BLOCKS ATTRIBUTED TO SPRINTER MEL PATTON - MULTIPLE WORLD RECORD HOLDER & 2-TIME GOLD MEDALIST (HELMS/LA84 COLLECTION)
Sold for
$180
Sold Price includes BP
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $10 |
| $200 | $25 |
| $500 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $3,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $30,000 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 | $20,000 |
| $300,000 | $25,000 |
| $500,000 | $50,000 |
This Nicknamed "Pell Mel" Mel Patton was a 3-time NCAA champion in the 100 2-time NCAA champion in the 200 and gold-medal winner in the 200 meters and 4 x 100 meter relay at the 1948 London Games while still in college at USC. Patton was ranked No. 1 in the world in the 100 meters in 1947 and 1949 and No. 1 in the 200 meters 1947-49. His best event was the 200. In 1949 he ran a straightaway 200 yards in 20.2 seconds to break the record held by Jesse Owens. He held four world records when it was all said and done including the 100-yard dash twice (9.4 sec in '47 and 9.3 sec in '48). It is safe to say that Patton dominated the sprint events in the late 1940s and certainly earned the title of "world's fastest human." He recently passed away on May 9 2014 at the age of 89.
With a foundation measuring 3 feet long the metal starting blocks show an abundance of use. Spike marks adorn each rubber-cushioned triangular block which are adjustable and measure 6" by 8" by 11" on the base. A nameplate is screwed into the right block with the following notations:
"MEL PATTON WORLD RECORD HOLDER"
"100 YD 9.4 SEC. TIED MODESTO RELAYS MAY 24 1947"
"100 YD 9.3 SEC. FRESNO RELAYS MAY 15 1948"
"220 YD 20.2 SEC. U.C.L.A. MAY 2 1949""880 YD RELAY 12.4 SEC. L.A. CITY COLLEGE MAY 20 1949""PRESENTED BY RICHARD W. ARNET"
Includes a Letter of Provenance from the Helms Athletic Foundation/LA84 Collection.
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