SCP Auctions, Inc.
Timed Auction

Fall Premier Auction 2017

Wed, Oct 18, 2017 04:00PM EDT - Sat, Nov 4, 2017 11:00PM EDT
Lot 141

PAIR OF 1956 MELBOURNE OLYMPIC GAMES DIPLOMAS INCL. MEN'S POLE VAULT 2ND PLACE PRESENTED TO USA SILVER MEDALIST BOB GUTOWSKI (SDHOC COLLECTION)

Sold for
$530.40
Sold Price includes BP

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Scarce pair of 1956 Melbourne Summer Olympic Games diplomas offered here. One was issued to a Swimming judge named "E. HERZOG". The other was presented to American pole vaulter Bob Gutowski who took home the Silver Medal finishing behind USA teammate BobRichards. Gutowski later set the record for highest height ever cleared(15’ 9.75”) with a straight pole and held the official Men’s Pole VaultWorld Record from 1957 to 1960 (15’ 8.25”). Unfortunately the ’56 Gameswere his only Olympics. In 1960 one month before the Rome GamesGutowski was tragically killed in a car accident by a drunk driver whileserving in the Marine Corp Reserves at Camp Pendleton in SouthernCalifornia.

Both 16" by 20" diplomas look exactly the same save for the recipient's name and event. The facsimile signatures of longtime IOC president Avery Brundage as well as those of the Organising [sic] Committee president and chairman make them official looking. Gutowski's presents EX-MT whereas the other is more EX. These are not easy to find in the hobby.

Letter of Provenance from the San Diego Hall of Champions.

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