Auction Item Details
Lot 391d
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Lot Number: 391
Description: ***LATE ADDITION*** Significant Johnny Unitas 1959 World Championship presentational tea service by Gorham. As in the previous 1958 season, which culminated with an NFL Championship game that has since been deemed "The Greatest Game Ever Played", the Baltimore Colts and New York Giants ended the 1959 NFL regular season atop their respective divisions. The 1959 championship game was played at Baltimore's Memorial Stadium in December of 1959, with the Colts again defeating the Giants by a score of 31-16. Quarterback Johnny Unitas dominated the 1959 regular season in the midst of his famed streak of 47 consecutive games with a touchdown pass. Unitas, as always, lived up to his reputation as a big game player in the title game, throwing two touchdowns and running another. The 1959 season may well have been the finest of Unitas' storied career, having garnered numerous honors including the 1959 UPI MVP, 1959 Bert Bell Award, and 1959 Pro Bowl MVP, with a note to the fact that Unitas appeared in a record (10) NFL Pro Bowls. Subsequent to capturing the 1959 NFL title, the Baltimore Colts gave the players a choice of receiving a ring, wristwatch, or silver tea service in honor of the victory. Offered is the original presentational sterling silver tea service as given to Johnny Unitas for being a member of the World Champion Colts in 1959. Manufactured by New York silversmith, Gorham Co., the four piece sterling silver service is of exceptional quality with a total weight of 54.10oz. The famed Colts logo and "1959 World Champions" are inscribed on the front of all three figural pieces, which consist of a 10" tall teapot, 5" tall handled creamer, and a 5" tall lidded sugar bowl. The set also features a 10" diameter molded edge undertray, which also contains an engraving of the Colts logo along with the inscription, "1959 World Champions Johnny Unitas". The set remains in fine original condition, although the tray has a very minor indentation and some typical light surface scratching. World Championship personal player award pieces with relation to Hall of Fame members of Johnny Unitas' stature are exceedingly scarce, with only a scant few having entered the collecting marketplace. The offered award service is arguably one of the most significant personal player NFL Championship awards to have been offered at public auction. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the American Heart Association and the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation, Inc. in memory of Dorothy and Johnny Unitas. Includes letter of provenance from the Unitas family: EX-MT
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