2017 US Open June Memorabilia Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/18/2017
Arnold Palmer's Eight Major Victories - Limited Edition #155/240 Coaster Medallion Set
Arnold Palmer was long considered the face of golf, being that his prime coincided with the sport being televised nationally. Arnie's integrity and charitable works will forever keep his name alive and well associated with the sport. The 1987 Hertz Bay Hill Classic commemorated Palmer's illustrious career by issuing 240 coaster medallion sets in an exquisite wooden display box. In 2007 the tournament was named the Arnold Palmer Invitational, some 20 years after this honor.
Each medallion commemorates one of Arnie's Major wins, including his 1954 US Amateur win at the Country Club of Detroit. Palmer would go on to win an incredible FOUR Masters titles (1958, 1960, 1962, 1964), consecutive Open Championships in 1961 and 1962, and the 1960 US Open at Cherry Hills Country Club. This set not only comes with the incredible display box, but also a booklet detailing each win with a foreword from Palmer himself.
Each medallion is 3 1/2" in diameter and weighs about 1/2 lb. The display box measures 7 3/4" x 9 1/2" x 4 3/8". This is truly a must have, seldom seen item for any Arnold Palmer collector.
The 1962 Open Championship and the 1954 US Amateur medallions show some wear and the display box has a very fine crack that runs across the length of the top, please see photographs for reference.
The informational sheet included reads as follows:
"Enclosed is your special Limited Edition set of eight coaster medallions. Only 240 sets of these were commissioned and struck for the Sponsors of the 1987 Hertz Bay Hill Classic. Your set has benn given an individual number on each coin's edge and this collection will never be reproduced.
This booklet explains the scenes on the reverse of each medallion which depict Arnold Palmer's eight major championship victories.
Each scene was struck five times under 1,000 tons of pressure to achieve every exquisite detail carved by the sculptor's chisel, and this project has taken over a year from its inception.
The master sculpture seen on the outside of the case and also on each medallion's obverse was created by world renown portrait sculptor, Mico Kaufman.
It was created first from photographs, but final preparation was completed with an actual sitting with Mr. Palmer during April, 1986.
The reverse sculptures were done by the master sculptors at the Danbury, Connecticut studio of Medallic Art Co. (MACO), which has been known worldwide for its craftsmanship of medallions since 1900 and is today's undisputed leader.
Each scene depicted was taken from an actual photograph of the event, as it happened, even to an 8mm movie of his Cherry Hills drive. Very little artist's license was allowed. That means that if Arnold's swing was not complete, his hat a little askew, the crowd not all watching his shot, so be it.
We wanted to capture the moment and we hope you will share our pride with this exceptional set of Limited Edition Medallions."
Please note: This auction will end at 7:00pm EST on Sunday, June 18th, with EXTENDED BIDDING to follow. All items in the auction will remain open until no items have received a bid within a 15 minute time period. All lots are free to be bid on until extended bidding has ended
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