February 2013 Auction Ends Wednesday, February 6th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/6/2013
Arthur Ashe's 1992 day planner, used consistently by the tennis legend to record the events in his incredibly busy life, with each day chocked full of to-do's, mostly relating to his AIDS advocacy. This planner is of particular significance as it includes the 8 April 1992 day which he announced publicly he had contracted the HIV virus. On that day, Ashe writes ''HIV PRESS'' boldly across the date page. He begins the year with a 2 January entry reading ''blood test'' which he notates on various days throughout the year, as his struggle against the AIDS virus worsened. Though Ashe had already contracted HIV in a blood transfusion, he had kept his condition private until this year, when he became an activist in the anti-AIDS effort before his 1993 passing. Ashe's priorities are revealed through his concise, handwritten entries, which serve as reminders for his various public engagements and events of personal significance to him in the last year of his life. Though the primary focus of his days was advocacy, sports remained an important part of his life, as he notes commitments to attend sports-related engagements, including, ''ATP [Association of Tennis Professionals] School'', ''U. of Maryland / 'Effects of Sports Journalism on the African American Identity''', ''Hall of Fame Dinner'' and many more. Personal reminders are listed too, such as ''Twins' Birthday'', ''Cosby letter'', ''Anniversary 15th'', ''AIDS letter to Jeanne'' and even ''Bill Clinton called''. In red pen, circled twice, he sweetly records that his daughter ''Camera read a book to me''. His AIDS advocacy becomes more prominent as the year went on, with mention of ''World AIDS Day / U. Nations'' on 1 December, as well as ''AIDS Prod. Taping at HBO'' and media appearances such as ''Larry King / CNN / 9-10''. He also notes ''w/ Nelson Mandela'' on 16 July, ''Congressional Hearing Sen. Kennedy 10AM'' on 28 July and ''Jimmy Connors Birthday Party'' on 25 August. He lists a bevy of celebrities on a few pages, including Diana Ross, Dustin Hoffman, ''Arnold'', Calvin Klein, Julius Erving, Vanessa Williams, Elizabeth Taylor, John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors. Notations in Ashe's hand appear on almost every single page of the spiral-bound Day-At-A-Glance book, save for a few days off. Features a black faux-leather soft cover. Measures 5.75'' x 8.25''. In very good condition, with minor wear to leaf edges and corners. With an LOA from Arthur Ashe's widow. For many more photos detailing this lot please copy and paste the following link: www.photobucket.com/1992journal
Arthur Ashe 1992 Day Planner, the Last Full Year of His Life -- Includes His Announcement to the World That He Contracted HIV
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