Addendum: This lot has been updated from the catalog. There are only three items included.
In the early 1900’s no man was more of an all-around athlete than Jim Thorpe. From the start, Thorpe excelled in any sport he participated. By the time he graduated from the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, Thorpe was nationally famous from both his track and field and football exploits. He became an international phenomenon when he won gold medals in both the pentathlon and decathlon events at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics. Upon meeting Thorpe, Sweden’s King Gustav reportedly said, "You, sir, are the greatest athlete in the world", to which the Olympian supposedly replied, "Thanks, King." In the years after the Olympics, Jim Thorpe played both pro football and baseball, where his fame as the world’s greatest athlete preceded him.
This lot of Jim Thorpe’s personal possessions date from the years just after the 1912 Olympics when he was at the height of both his professional career and popularity. The three pieces are believed to have originated from the same source as the 2016 “Missouri Find” of Thorpe and related American Indian artifacts, which were once part of a traveling exhibit and then left in a Missouri barn for decades. The most interesting piece is certainly Jim Thorpe’s personal bible. The British and Foreign Bible Society presented Thorpe with the custom volume in 1913 on his birthday. The front cover is embossed with Thorpe's Christian name “Jacobus Franciscus Thorpe” and his Sac and Fox name “Wa Tho Huk.” The accompanying presentation card is dated May 28, 1913, and extends best wishes to “the Indian ambassador for the United States.” The inside of the bible has been stamped “Canton Bulldogs World Champions 1917.” That year was particularly significant in that Thorpe not only coached the Canton Bulldogs to a World Championship, but also appeared in the World Series with the New York Giants that fall. Along with the Bulldogs stamp is a library stamp from the U.S. Infantry and Cavalry School and several hand written notations. The bible shows obvious use with heavy wear and aging to the cover. The interior pages show edge wear and toning along with some light staining. Overall, the bible presents in excellent shape for being over century old.
Also included in this lot is a purple silk bookmark reading “Canton Bulldogs World Champions 1917” and a white cloth preservation carrying bag labeled “James F. Thorpe Coach” and “U.S.I.S.” (United States Indian Services). The silk bookmark shows some fraying on the ends and the cloth bag has a large brown stain on the side with the stamping. A unique grouping from arguably the greatest all-around athlete of the 20th Century.