This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/4/2017
American pole vaulter Bob Gutowski wore this USA Track & Field jersey at the 1956 Melbourne Summer Olympic Games where the Occidental College star took home the Silver Medal, finishing behind teammate Bob Richards. Gutowski later set the record for highest height ever cleared (15’ 9.75”) with a straight pole and held the official Men’s Pole Vault World Record from 1957 to 1960 (15’ 8.25”). Unfortunately, the ’56 Games were his only Olympics. In 1960, one month before the Rome Games, Gutowski was tragically killed in a car accident by a drunk driver while serving in the Marine Corp Reserves at Camp Pendleton in Southern California.
The white jersey singlet features a red, white and blue diagonal ribbon across the front with a red, white, blue and gold Team USA shield patch. A Spalding label is sewn inside bottom hem of the jersey. The jersey shows heavy use with much fraying to the red, white and blue ribbon plus several small holes throughout the body. There is medium toning to the white fabric and numerous small stains are visible. Such Olympic uniform pieces are super rare to surface in the hobby and this gem is certainly no exception. Attached photo is Gutowski with Richards at the 1957 Millrose Games.
Includes a letter of provenance from the San Diego Hall of Champions where it was displayed for decades.