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It is our privilege to offer here a fantastic and exceptionally rare, stunningly beautiful 1936 Washington Star’s National A.A.U. Championship Marathon Trophy from the estate of the legendary American Marathon Runner and Runner's World Magazine’s "Runner of the Century" John Adelbert "Johnny" Kelley - winner of two Boston Marathons and the record holder for most second place finishes in the Boston Marathon (seven), most top 5 finishes (15 in 17 years from 1934 to 1950) and most Boston marathons participated in (61).


    This massive and exquisitely beautiful, 1936 Washington Star Marathon Trophy measures a whopping 30 1/2” tall and 8 1/4” in diameter at the base. The beautiful, figural silver plate Trophy features a full figure, Art Deco style Statue of Winger Victory holding aloft a pot of fire. Lady Victory stands on the crest of an ocean wave which is mounted atop a large plinth that is encircled by a laurel wreath. The Trophy is mounted on its original black, bakelite base. The Trophy was manufactured by R. Harris & Co. Co. and carries the mark on the base that reads “R. Harris & Co. / Washington D.C.”.


    In 1936 Johnny Kelley finished second in the National A.A.U. Marathon Championship Race held at Washington, D.C. and sponsored by the Washington Evening Star Newspaper. The Race turned into a thrilling rematch between Kelley and the Winner William B. McMahon. McMahon had finished second to Kelley in the 1935 Boston Marathon and in this 1936 AAU National Championship McMahon bested Kelley by a mere 300 yards. Offered here is the Second Place Trophy awarded to Johnny Kelley in 1936 for his finish in the Washington Star Marathon. Engraved text on the plinth portion of the Trophy reads “Washington Star Marathon / 1936 / Won By”. As with all of the Road Race Trophies that Johnny Kelley won, this Trophy is not engraved with his name (in the early to mid 20th century that was an added expense that was to be borne by the winner of a Road Race Trophy and Kelley never had his trophies engraved with his name) but the historical record and our own experience attest to the fact that this marvelous Trophy was won by the great Johnny Kelly and came directly from his estate.


    This Trophy, sponsored by The Washington Star Newspaper was awarded to the second place finisher in the National A./A.U. Marathon Championship - the fact that it was awarded to the legendary Johnny Kelley makes it an even more important piece of American Marathon history.


    John Adelbert "Johnny" Kelley (September 6, 1907 – October 6, 2004) was an American long-distance runner who twice represented his native country at the Summer Olympics, in 1936 and 1948. Born in West Medford, Massachusetts as one of ten children, Kelley ran track and cross-country at Arlington High School in Massachusetts. He did not finish his first Boston Marathon in 1928, but eventually competed in a record 61 Boston Marathons. A legend of the marathon, Kelley won the 1935 and 1945 runnings of the Boston Marathon. He finished in second place at Boston a record seven times. Between 1934 to 1950, he finished in the top five 15 times at Boston, consistently running in the 2:30s. He ran his last full marathon at Boston in 1992 at the age of 84, his 61st start and 58th finish there. For two more years he ran the last seven miles. Kelley also ran the Yonkers Marathon 29 times. A member of the U.S. Olympic Team at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, he finished 18th in the marathon. Kelley ran his 50th Boston Marathon in 1981; the event was also his 108th career marathon. In 1993, a statue of Kelley to commemorate him was erected near the City Hall of Newton, Massachusetts, on the Boston Marathon course, one hill and about one mile prior to the foot of Heartbreak Hill. Kelley was named "Runner of the Century" by Runner's World magazine in 2000.


    In 2004, shortly after the death of Marathon Legend Johnny Kelley, we had the privilege to be retained to appraise his historic collection of Trophy, Medals, Awards and Photographs for the estate. Kelley’s collection was displayed in what could only be described as a Marathon and Road Race Runner’s “shrine” in the basement of his home in Dennis, Massachusetts. It was a jaw dropping experience to say the least and one of the most memorable “assignment” of our lifetime. We were contracted by the bank that was handling the estate. A few years later we were contacted by Johnny’s widow Ginger (Delong) Kelley asking us if we were interested in purchasing some of the items from the collection. Sadly, we told her that it would be unethical for us to purchase items from the estate because we had done the original estate appraisal and we chalked it up as an unfortunate “miss” on our part.


    A short time ago, we were contacted by the party who had referred us to the bank as an appraiser for the Kelley estate. He told us that he had purchased 4 Trophies from Mrs. Kelley and asked us if we would be willing to handle their sale. To say the least we were excited and although we do not sell items on consignment, we decided that the opportunity to sell these four historically important Marathon Trophies was something that we simply could not pass up. The Trophy offered here is a stunningly beautiful piece of Art Deco Sculpture as well as an important piece of marathon history and we are proud to offer it here, as always, without reserve and with the confidence that it will attract the serious attention that it justly deserves.


    This fantastic piece of Boston Marathon and American Road Race / Running History is in very good condition. The silver plated Trophy itself is well preserved with a couple of very minor dings and a few small spots of loss to the plated surface. As with all of Johnny Kelley‘s Trophies, the Trophy sat pretty much untouched in his collection - we have given the surface a preliminary cleaning as the Trophy was heavily tarnished when it was first accuirred. It appears that the “Pot of Fire” originally had 9 thin and delicate “rays” that extended from the fire and these were somehow lost over the past 78 years. There is no other damage and no repairs to this wonderful piece of Trophy Art.


    This is one of the most beautiful, early 20th century American Marathon Trophies we have ever encountered and the fact that it was won by the legendary marathoner Johnny Kelley the Elder - the runner who was the face of the Boston Marathon for the majority of the 20th century - the “Runner of the Century” make it both historically important and worthy of a place at the center of even the most advanced, Sports Trophy or Marathon Collection!! We feel privileged and are exceptionally proud to offer this wonderful 1936 National A.A.U. Marathon ChampionshipTrophy, as always, with no reserve and with the confidence that it will attract the serious attention that it justly deserves!! Good Luck to all those interested!!


    Pleae Note: The Trophy will be accompanied by our own Letter of Authenticity as well as signed statement attesting to the fact that it was obtained directly from the widow of Johnny Kelley and that the Trophy was both won by the great Johnny Kelly and was part of his estate.


Overseasshippping is extra and cost will be quoted at bidders request. Massachusetts residents must add 5% sales tax. Insurance is required on all items selling for $400 or more and optional on items selling for under $400 (but highly recommended. If you do not want insurance please let us know.


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ATTENTION FRIENDS!!!

We are pleased to announce the start up of a second weekly auction by WALNUTTS2!!!

The next generation of NUTS have decided to take a crack at listing some of the hundreds of items that we have accumulated over the past 28 years.

Click Here to See What WALNUTTS2 is Offering in this weeks Ebay Auction!!

Rest assured that WALNUTTS2 will be offering the same high standard of customer service and 100% unconditional satisfaction guarantee that you have found here in our weekly auctions.

The "young'uns" will be starting off slow as they learn the ropes but we ask that you support them as you have supported us over the past 10 years!!



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