Johnny Kelley - Marathon Man whom I never knew + a cool old game

Stone193

Hi everyone!

I'm afraid I'm gonna bore some of you guys with this stuff but it's no fun unless I can share. So thanx in advance for viewing.

Johnny Kelley (1907 - 2004)

1931 National AAU Championship 10 mile Run trophy is from the estate of legendary American marathon runner and Runner's World Magazine's "Runner of the Century" John Adelbert "Johnny" Kelley - winner of 2 Boston Marathons and the record holder for most 2nd place finishes in the Boston Marathon (7), most top 5 finishes (15 in 17 yrs from 1934 to 1950) and most Boston Marathons participated with 61.

The trophy is over 22" tall:



It has incredible detail with a bakelite base and cool Greco-Roman images around the top:



The design is reminiscent of the ancient "games" with Greek Goddesses, Winged Lady Victory, chariots etc. The trophy was made by Wallace Bros. of Wallingford, Conn.

In 1931 Kelley finished 3rd in the National AAU 10 Mile Championship Race - held in Norwich, Conn. and sponsored by the Duwell Athletic Association.

Kelley was an American long distance runner who twice represented the US in the 1936 and 1948 Summer Olympics. He was born in West Medford, MA, as one of 10 children. With a record 61 Boston Marathons, he won it in 1935 and 1945 and came in 2nd seven times. He ran his last run in Boston in 1992 at the age of 84!



In the 1936 Olympics, he finished 18th. Again, he was named Runner of the Century by Runner's World Magazine in 2000.

His first win of the Boston marathon in 1935:



Kelley in the 1941 Marathon:



A statue "tribute" to Kelley is on the marathon course:



Side note - none of Kelley's awards are engraved with his name - back in the day, the associations made it the responsibility of the winner of the trophy to foot the bill to have it engraved. I'm guessing Johnny "knew" his own name and opted out.

Furthermore, in 1950, he became the first road runner elected to theNational Track and Field Hall of Fame.

The HOF happens to be in the neighborhood where I attended Columbia U. - I never visited it.

Championships

1936 Olympics: marathon (18th)
1948 Olympics: marathon (21st)
1937 AAU: 15,000 m (1st)
1937 AAU: 25,000 m (1st)
1941 AAU: 25,000 m (1st)
1942 AAU: 25,000 m (1st)
1943 AAU: 20,000 m (1st)
1943 AAU: 25,000 m (1st)
1944 AAU: 25,000 m (1st)
1948 AAU: marathon (1st)
1950 AAU: marathon (1st)
1954 AAU: 15,000 m (1st)
1954 AAU: 20,000 m (1st)

Tho this isn't as sexy as having something from a ML'er - it's a piece of an athlete's history - that I can afford - and am privileged to have it.

And now to a very cool game from - I believe - the late 1800s.


Base Ball Home Game - Davis Novelty Co., Elmira NY

I'm just not sure when made - educated guess based on the instructions? Late 1800s or early 1900s.

Here's an excerpt from the seller - I thought they did a good job of trying to research the item.



<< <i>Quote:
Searching on line, I found no other known examples of this toy, no record of a patent being granted for it, and only minimal information
about the Davis Novelty Company.

On an ancestry research site, I found a 2003 inquiry (with no posted replies) from a person seeking information about Daniel Davis
and his son Etna Davis, inventors and businessmen, owners of the Davis Novelty Company in Elmira, described as a manufacturer
of slot machines from the late 1880's.

I found records of only two patents granted to Davis Novelty, both in the name of Etna Davis.
One, in 1893, was for a slot machine mechanism, and the other, in 1916, was for an improved design of water hose spray nozzle.
I found no record at all of Davis Novelty as a maker of toys or board games.

The only other published reference to the company's products that I could find was a 1906 Davis Novelty newspaper ad
in the Kansas City Star, soliciting sales representatives with the promise: "Sell our $20 soda fountains; Make $10 on every sale". >>



I'm basing the dating on the use of "batsman" and "striker." Which are early baseball terms.

IMO, this is a neat looking game and easy to play and take with you to the park or a friend's house on a rainy Saturday afternoon.

The size of the game: 5 x 10.5"







I'm missing a bunch of small brads that are being used as markers - easy to find.

I tried finding info myself about the company and game and came up with nothing. Leads me to believe that it's an "oddball" and probably rare.

I haven't analyzed the mechanism of play for odds yet.

Last, I just checked and unfortunately my "whale" was an 'attempted delivery' at my office - so I'm gonna have to wait till monday to get it.

LarkinCollector

Thanks, as always, for sharing, Mike! You definitely unearth some very cool stuff and educate with your research on the items.

lawnmowerman

Very cool! That's a lot of fist place finishes. Quite impressive.

And don't think I didn't notice this little tidbit Mike:

<< <i>The trophy is over 22" tall: >>

rabbitpunch

Good stuff Mike. Thanks for sharing.

JBrules

Mike I fully appreciate the John Kelley trophy. I am very aware of his Boston Marathon achievements. Having been a marathoner and completed 3 Boston marathons you scored great one with that trophy. Thanks for sharing. Very cool pickups.

MULLINS5

Not a bore at all Mike, great stuff as always. I always enjoy reading your posts.

Patrick

mikelowell25

Beautiful trophy mike!!

As a life-long bostonian who lives less than a five-minute walk from the 23-mile mark of the marathon and watches it every year (havent missed one in probably close to 30 years!!) I certainly can appreciate this wonderful piece nor do I find the topic "boring"!! . When i started watching the marathon in person as a spectator in the mid 80's as a teenager in high school, kelley was already older and although he was still running the race I dont recall seeing him pass by at the spot where I watched from (and still watch from to this day!) probably because its only 3 miles from the finish line AND when I was out there it was only a couple hours into the race and he wouldnt be hitting that checkpoint until much, much later when I was already home.....however, I do recall driving down beacon street one year around 8 o'clock and seeing mr kelley plodding along in the dark, just a couple miles from the finish line (I'm pretty sure he was all by himself without anyone accompanying him; not bad for an 80-something year old guy!!). Enjoy the piece!!

dennis07

Cool stuff. I love that the team colors are Blue and Gray. For the period that must be a civil war reference.

scooter729

Great trophy, Mike!

One thing though, which many of us Bostonians who are familiar with the marathon may know....

Your 1957 picture isn't this Johnny Kelley. Your trophy originates from THE Johnny Kelley, whom I believe was Johnny A. Kelley, or Johnny Kelley "The Older". There was another Johnny Kelley who won the 1957 marathon - he went by John J. Kelley or Johnny Kelley "The Younger", even though they weren't related (if I recall correctly).

Fantastic trophy, and just wanted to point out the funny same name issue of two marathon winners from a somewhat similar era, in case anyone was wondering why he looks younger in 1957 than he did in 1935!

Scott

Stone193

<< <i>Great trophy, Mike!

One thing though, which many of us Bostonians who are familiar with the marathon may know....

Your 1957 picture isn't this Johnny Kelley. Your trophy originates from THE Johnny Kelley, whom I believe was Johnny A. Kelley, or Johnny Kelley "The Older". There was another Johnny Kelley who won the 1957 marathon - he went by John J. Kelley or Johnny Kelley "The Younger", even though they weren't related (if I recall correctly).

Fantastic trophy, and just wanted to point out the funny same name issue of two marathon winners from a somewhat similar era, in case anyone was wondering why he looks younger in 1957 than he did in 1935!

Scott >>

Thanx Scott!

I pulled the pics and didn't read - I was aware in researching that there were 2 Kelleys but missed it wasn't him.

Stone193

<< <i>Very cool! That's a lot of fist place finishes. Quite impressive.

And don't think I didn't notice this little tidbit Mike:

<< <i>The trophy is over 22" tall: >>



>>

Very cool Matt! Thanx

Stone193

Thanx to everyone else - didn't realize we had that many Boston Marathon aficionados! This has been a real pleasure.



Here's a bobblehead of "the" Kelley.

divecchia

Cool trophy, Mike. I love the incredible detailed images at the top of the trophy, they really pop. I too am familiar with Johnny Kelley, as I live just a few miles outside of Boston. What I did not know is he was born in Medford which borders where I've lived (Somerville) for the last 45 years.

Cool looking game, I'm always amazed by these different types of baseball board games that you find. Just from what I've seen you post you have an incredible collection.

Thanks for sharing,
Donato

Edited to add: I love the bobblehead.

Stone193

Thanx Donato - just for clarity - I found that bobble but it's not mine.

Stone193

<< <i>Beautiful trophy mike!!

As a life-long bostonian who lives less than a five-minute walk from the 23-mile mark of the marathon and watches it every year (havent missed one in probably close to 30 years!!) I certainly can appreciate this wonderful piece nor do I find the topic "boring"!! . When i started watching the marathon in person as a spectator in the mid 80's as a teenager in high school, kelley was already older and although he was still running the race I dont recall seeing him pass by at the spot where I watched from (and still watch from to this day!) probably because its only 3 miles from the finish line AND when I was out there it was only a couple hours into the race and he wouldnt be hitting that checkpoint until much, much later when I was already home.....however, I do recall driving down beacon street one year around 8 o'clock and seeing mr kelley plodding along in the dark, just a couple miles from the finish line (I'm pretty sure he was all by himself without anyone accompanying him; not bad for an 80-something year old guy!!). Enjoy the piece!! >>

Hiya Mike

Sorry for taking so much time to respond to your post.

I got sidetracked by the misstep of posting the wrong Johnny Kelley and wanted to give this more attention.

Thanx for sharing your personal experience about Mr Kelley - as I said - I didn't know who he was and enjoyed researching him. What attracted me was the beauty in all the trophies that went up for sale.

Two were actual Boston Marathon trophies - and they went for way more than I could afford. This one was higher than I wanted but definitely more affordable and I enjoy having a piece of some athletes experience whether it be a jersey, bat or trophy e.g.

Happy Thanksgiving!

edit: this one went for over 1700 bucks! It's a beauty - but way more than I want to spend.

IndianaJones

Hiya Mike,

Thanks for sharing your wonderful acquisition and the research about it. Very interesting. Out of curiosity, were either of Mr. Kelley's Boston Marathon sunburst gold medals he received for winning in '35 and '41 offered in the auction? If so, what price did they happen to go for?

Again, thanks for sharing. ---Indiana Jones (Brian Powell)