This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/4/2017
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 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.
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.