February 2013 Auction Ends Wednesday, February 6th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/6/2013
Martin Luther King Sports Medallion awarded to Arthur Ashe by civil rights leader Dr. Ralph David Abernathy. The award is comprised of a pair of medallions of differing metal content, identical in design and housed side by side in a custom case. Lid features a reflective interior engraved, ''Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. / Sports Medallion / Presented To / ARTHUR ASHE / For Your Contribution To / The Cause Of Human Dignity / SCLC [Southern Christian Leadership Conference] / Dr. Ralph David Abernathy, President / Compliments of Coca-Cola USA''. Medals' obverse design features a bust of Martin Luther King in relief, with lettering to the perimeter reading, ''MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. / 1929-1968''. The reverse bears his famous quote ''I HAVE A DREAM'' arcing over two men standing side by side, their arms in a half-embrace; the man on the left is Caucasian and the man on the right is of African descent. A stylized eagle serves as the background and lettering under the image reads, ''PEACE JUSTICE / BROTHERHOOD''. One medal is solid silver and the other is of an unknown content in a brassy color, each measuring 1.5'' in diameter and weighing approximately 0.25 to 0.5 ounces. Silver medal bears a Medallic Art Co. N.Y. stamp to its rim. Medallions are housed in a black faux-croc hinged case lined in black velvet and printed in silver with King's name on the cover. Tarnishing and discoloration to medals, else fine. With an LOA from Arthur Ashe's widow.
Arthur Ashe's Martin Luther King Sports Award -- Pair of Brotherhood Medallions Awarded by Dr. Ralph David Abernathy
Click above for larger image.