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It is our privilege to offer here a fantastic and exceptionally rare, stunningly beautiful 1934 Boston 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 exquisite, 1934 Boston Marathon Trophy measures a whopping 32” tall and 9 1/2” in diameter at the base. The beautiful, figural silver plate Trophy features a full figure statue of a well muscled Greek Athlete - a representation of the original Marathon runner Pheidippides - standing atop a globe with arms raised above his head and a laurel wreath in his right hand. The globe sits atop a pediment which is flanked by 4 supports and the Trophy is mounted on its original wooden base. The Trophy was manufactured by the International Silver Co. and carries the mark on the base that includes 2 knights jousting and text that reads “International Silver Co. Trophy”.


    In 1934 Johnny Kelley finished second in the Boston Marathon - the first of his record seven second place finishes (he would win the B.A.A. Marathon in 1935 and again in 1945) and the first of his record 15 top 5 finishes. Offered here is the “Dr. W. R. Ross Trophy” awarded in 1934 to the top finisher in the Boston Marathon from the state of Massachusetts. Engraved text on the globe portion of the Trophy reads “Dr. W. R. Ross Trophy / B.A.A. Marathon / 1934 / To Be Won By First Massachusetts Runner To Finish”. As with all of the Road Race Trophies that Johnny Kelly 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 Kelley "The Elder" and came directly from his estate.


    This Trophy, sponsored by Dr. W. R. Ross, was certainly THE largest and most beautiful Trophy awarded to any runner in the 1934 Boston Marathon and the fact that it was awarded to the legendary Johnny Kelley makes it an exceptionally important piece of Boston 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 Trophies, 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 far and away THE most important of the group - the only one of the four pieces that is an actual Boston Marathon Trophy 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 few very minor dings and some very small spots of loss to the plating. 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 it was exceptionally tarnished when first acquirred. Because the Trophy was stored for many years in the basement of Kelley’s home, the wooden base has lost much of its original black paint and has split along the fusion lines. There is a small section at the right rear of the wooden base that is lost as can be seen in the scans below. Also, as a result, the Trophy is somewhat loose on the base and should be tightened professionally.


    This is, without a doubt, one of THE most historically important and also one of the most beautiful, early 20th century American Marathon Trophies to come to market in many years - an important piece of Boston Marathon history that was awarded to the runner who was the face of the Boston Marathon for the majority of the 20th century - the “Runner of the Century” Johnny Kelley!! We feel privileged and are exceptionally proud to offer this wonderful 1934 Boston Marathon Trophy, 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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We have NEVER requested Feedback from our customers as we were taught that "fishing for compliments" was impolite but the new eBay Detailed Rating System has put us in a rather tight spot. Most buyers are unaware that eBay bases a monthly fee discount on a Seller's "Star" rating. A monthly average of "4.6 Stars" (in any one of the four "Star" categories) costs us approximately $400 in additional eBay Fees - that's $400 above what we would pay if we had a "4.8 Star" average in all 4 "Star" categories!! As a consequence we hope you do not find us rude to ask that if you are happy with our items, our service, and our packing & shipping please be sure to use the "Star" rating system and remember that a "5 Star" rating is the only way we can qualify for eBay's fee reduction program. ,



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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