Summer Premier Auction 2014
Wed, Aug 6, 2014 08:00PM EDT - Sun, Aug 24, 2014 11:00AM EDT
Timed Auction
Lot 237
PAIR OF BATONS (TRIALS & FINALS) CARRIED BY WORLD RECORD 880 YARD RELAY TEAM (MAY 20, 1949, L.A. COLISEUM) - ONE TEAM SIGNED INCL. MEL PATTON (HELMS/L
Sold for
$300
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 |
These two remarkable relay batons were carried by members of the University of Southern California 4 x 220 yard relay team which set a new world record on May 20 1949 at the Los Angeles Coliseum. The team consisting of 2-time Olympic Champion Mel Patton George Pasquali Ron Frazier and Norman Stocks clocked 1 minute 24.0 seconds to break the old mark by .4 of a second. Patton ran the anchor leg and was by far the most decorated athlete of the group.
Nicknamed "Pell 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. 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 broke 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.
The two wooden cylinder batons are open-ended (hollowed out on the inside) approximately 11 3/4 inches in length and slightly less than 1 1/2 inches in diameter. The baton with a non-waxed blonde wood color is documented as one passed by the USC team to set the world record in the 4 x 220 yard relay finals. It is signed in 6-7/10 by the four USC sprinters (Patton Stocks Frazier and Pasquali) as well as their coach Jess Hill (USC Hall of Fame) and Bill Hunter USC Athletic Director at that time. Printed neatly in blue next to the autographs is "WORLD RECORD 880-YARD RELAY MAY 20 1949 COLISEUM RELAYS." The baton is completely intact although it is starting to crack on the backside.
The other baton with a dark brown finish is believed to be the one used in the qualifying heat before the finals. It includes the following notation in beautiful black penmanship: "BATON CARRIED BY UNIV. SO. CALIFORNIA 880-YARD RELAY TEAM MELVIN PATTON GEORGE PASQUALI RONALD FRAZIER NORMAN STOCKS LOS ANGELES COLISEUM RELAYS MAY 20 1949. TIME: 1 min. 24.0 SEC. NEW WORLD RECORD." It is in pristine condition aside from a small dent on the backside. What an amazing two-piece set for USC and track and field enthusiasts to add to their collection.
Includes a Letter of Provenance from the Helms Athletic Foundation/LA84 Collection.
Autograph pre-certified by PSA/DNA.
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