JIM THORPE - AUTOGRAPHED INSCRIBED PHOTOGRAPH 1951 - HFSID 345492

JIM THORPE
The dynamic athlete is posed ready for the snap in this black and white photograph signed in 1951!
Inscribed Photograph signed: "To Wesley & Bill/ from/ Jim Thorpe / 1951", in blue ink, b/w, 6¼x8¼ matted to an overall size of 11¼x13¼. Jim Thorpe (1887-1953), born James Francis Thorpe, was a Native American, multi-sport professional athlete considered by many sports scholars to be one of the best and most versatile athletes in all of modern sports. He played football, baseball, and basketball professionally and won two Olympic gold medals for pentathlon and decathlon in 1912 (which were stripped because of the amateurism rules in effect at the time, and then restored after his death). Thorpe played pro football on six teams (1915-1926, 1928), including the New York Giants (1925) and the Chicago Cardinals (1928). In addition to being an athlete, Thorpe was also a coach as well as the first president of the American Professional Football Association (APFA), now known as the National Football League (NFL). Thorpe continued his career as a professional athlete until he was 41. Unfortunately, the end of his sports career corresponded with the beginning of the Great Depression. Thorpe had a hard time supporting himself and worked several odd jobs until his death at age 65. 4-inch crease near left edge. Faint scratches throughout, not apparent head on. Signature light and beaded but legible. Otherwise, fine condition. Not matted in Gallery of History style.