Plate awarded to Arthur Ashe at the 1972 U.S. Professional Tennis Doubles Championship. Ashe is widely considered to be one of the most skilled players known to the sport and broke important racial barriers during his career. After breaking ground as the first black member of the prestigious U.S. Davis Cup Team, he became the first black winner of men's singles at the U.S. Open in 1968, the Australian Open in 1970 and Wimbledon in 1975. Ashe is further admired for his humanitarian endeavors encompassing civil rights and AIDS eradication. Trophy plate is engraved, ''Arthur R. Ashe - Robert C. Lutz / Runners-Up 1972 / United States Professional Tennis / Doubles Championship / Presented by / New England Merchants National Bank''. Silver plate stands on three feet and features an openwork band. Underside bears maker's mark: ''EPCA Bristol Silverplate by Pool 88''. Measures 10.25'' in diameter. Some scratching, else near fine. With an LOA from Arthur Ashe's widow.