This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/24/2014
One is difficult enough to find in the hobby. Two in the same lot? Unheard of. Courtesy of the world-renowned Helms Museum comes these two Notre Dame football helmets - one from the Leatherheads era and one from the 1960s.
The early leather Spalding example dates to 1930. The brown exterior contains four criss-crossing leather straps stitched into the leather shell. The "A.G. SPALDING BROS." stamp appears faintly over the forehead next to "ZH". Whatever was stamped on the outside of each ear hole is no longer legible. The interior features worn leather padding and an eight-point suspension system joined at the top by a circular padding. "16" is marked in black on the rear exterior twice in huge numbering. Most likely, this was the player's number who wore it. The original chinstrap is present, although it has been dislodged from the left loop below the ear. The helmet is in EX/MT, all-original condition with strong evidence of wear. This 1930s model is one of the rarest and most desirable styles among all early football helmets. And with provenance tied to Notre Dame, it is even more of a gem.
The 1960s example resembles the more modern Notre Dame helmets seen today. It is a Riddell Kra-Lite RK-2 model (manufactured 1961-1969) with a one-piece hard shell in traditional Fighting Irish gold. "RIDDELL" and "KRA-LITE" are stamped on the rear of the shell along with a "YALE" brown Dymo label. The shell shows scratches and other contact marks that give this beauty strong evidence of wear and gridiron use. The interior features a six-loop, twelve-point, multi-crown suspension system, all completely intact. A "RK2 KRA-LITE" label is stuck inside at the rear. It is a size 7 3/8 as indicated by the interior stamp the rear crown strap, The facemask is missing, but the Riddell chinstrap and leather ear pads are all original and have held up remarkably well.
Includes a Letter of Provenance from the Helms Athletic Foundation/LA84 Collection.