Auction Item Details
Lot 301
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Lot Number: 301
Description: *Updated description* Fine 1957 Carmen Basilio 14K Gold Hickock Award Belt with original presentational box. Highly prestigious award was presented annually from 1950 to 1976 to the top professional athlete of the year in the United States. It was created by Ray and Alan Hickock in honor of their late father Stephen Rae Hickock, founder of the Hickock Manufacturing Company, after his sudden passing. It's presentation was a major yearly event garnering much press attention having been crafted from solid gold (marked "14K") with that portion (when removed from the belt) weighing (38.5oz). and encrusted with (26) small diamonds on the sides. Belt is accented by a larger diamond solitaire of 3 carat total weight, 3 carat ruby, and a 3 carat sapphire along the bottom. The alligator skin belt (38" long when laid flat) has the large medallion (which is marked "14 KT") affixed at the center and text throughout reads "S Rae Hickock Award, Professional Athlete" with "Carmen Basilio" engraved at the bottom. Housed in the original wooden presentational box (20.5"x10.5"x4.5") which has a metal placard on the lid with Basilio's name and related text engraved. Basilio was also named "Fighter of The Year" by Ring Magazine in 1957 after defeating Sugar Ray Robinson for the Middleweight Championship title. Belt shows little mentionable wear and there is some light handling and storage wear to box (which has a pair of lucite pieces on the interior that may be replacements). Includes a letter of provenance signed by Carmen Basilio (and witnessed by his wife, Josephine), a draft of the letter signed by Basilio on which he has handwritten notes/information (also has a note written along the top by the collector whom had purchased the belt), several Christmas cards sent by Basilio and his wife to the collector (most signed by the wife), and a Carmen Basilio signed 8"x10" photograph: EX-NMEstimated Price Range: ($25,000-$50,000)
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