This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/7/2016
Hogan, Snead, Nicklaus, Palmer, Player, & Trevino Signed LeRoy Neiman 'Golf Champions' Print
In the writing of auction lot descriptions it is important to not overuse the word scarce. So what does scarce mean? "Webster's New World Dictionary" defines scarce as "not plentiful; not sufficient to meet the demand; hard to get". Offered here is a 35 1/4" by 25" poster of the 1973 artist Leroy Neiman's work "Champions of Golf". This poster depicts Sam Snead (Deceased 2002), Lee Trevino, Gary Player, Arnold Palmer, and Jack Nicklaus each of whom has signed this poster in-person for our consignor. Each of these five are members of the World Golf Hall of Fame. Now comes where the extremely scarce part comes in. The sixth Champion of Golf depicted on Neiman's classic work was Ben Hogan. From the time this poster was issued in 1973, Hogan seldom left Texas and was legendary for not receiving strangers well. His last visit to the Augusta National for the Masters Tournament was 1978. This was the last he would make a public appearance outside Texas until 1988. Known as "the Wee Iceman" Hogan was talked into attending the 100th Anniversary of Golf in the United States Banquet. Hogan had been named as one of the four finalists (Bobby Jones, Arnold Palmer,Jack Nicklaus)for Golf's Player of the Century, which would be named at the banquet. Jack Nicklaus was named the "Player of the Century" and Hogan retired back to Shady Oaks in Texas. His health would decline from that point as he was afflicted by dementia to the point that he seldom left his home in the early to mid 1990's prior to his passing in 1997. Image remains in clean, near mint condition free from creases. This piece is ready for framing and to be placed as the centerpiece of any collection. In summary, the difficult nature of obtaining any Hogan in-person signature during the life of this poster, much less, on a piece this size makes this an extremely tough six autographs to assemble. In talking with several advanced autograph collectors they concurred that they had never seen or heard of another of these posters completely signed. Sam Snead autograph is light, as is Gary Player's. Matted and ready to be framed, measures 35 1/4" x 25"
Please note: This auction will end at 7:00pm EST on Sunday, March 6th 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