Sculptor of the Spalding Trophies I.D.’d
 

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A month or so ago on eBay I got a very interesting 18 ½” wide x 10” tall photo of a formal banquet of the Dieges and Clust company. Many of you are probably familiar with the figural Spalding trophies, which were made by Dieges and Clust.

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Photo courtesy Robert Edward Auctions

The photo is inscribed

“Dieges and Clust Long Service Testimonial and Bowling League Banquet Narr. Hotel Providence R.I. May 5, 1951”

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At first I wasn’t too impressed since Dieges and Clust did their best work prior 1951. Nevertheless, I bought it with the offered BIN of around $20.00 as I recall. I immediately shot off an email with close in shots of my photo to Michael Wingert who is the great grandson of Col. Dieges, the founder of D&C…

….Michael showed it to his mom who I.D.’d a number of people in the photo…including….drum roll please…a Mr. Constanzo Luini who Michael indicates sculpted the Spalding trophies….I’m waiting for an email from Michael to show me exactly who he is in the photo…As I told Michael….I feel a story coming on… so stand by for more…and a look at the person responsible for how great the Spaldings are...All Michael told me so far is 'He is the WHITE HAIRED GENTLEMAN in the picture”….right Michael LOL!...Until I Michael gives the exact, I can only speculate Luini may be the one circled in red below...

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email excerpts below

3/30/11
Carlton, Jackpot...you have pics of my step Uncle Robert Dieges (Grampa's first son & President in 1951) & his wife Mildred, Mrs. Rose Gorden who ran the factory, August Packer (major D&C stock holder) & his three sons (August started out as a salesman), Uncle Robert (mom's brother as a salesman) & Constanzo Luini (THE SCULPTOR) & his son John (also a sculptor). I will figure out how to point out who is who another time. I am visiting my Mom in the hospital (after hip surgery yesterday). Talk to you soon.
Michael
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3/30/11
Michael,
Condolences for your mom's surgery...I certainly hope she is feeling better and out of the hospital soon....Please convey my best wishes.

Re: your info...WOW...that is great!!...my first big question: Did Constanzo Luini sculpt the Spalding Trophies???

I definetly feel a story coming on for my website....am anxious to get
names to faces...WOW this is great thanks so much
-Carlton
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3/31/11
Constanzo Luini was the only one with enough talent to sculpt the Spalding Trophies...so yes he is our man. He is the WHITE HAIRED GENTLEMAN in the picture.

That is very cool Carlton.

Great detective work Carlton-congrats!!

Thank you...
 

Sculptor of Spalding Trophies
 

Well done C! right up your alley!! How many figural Spalding trophies do you have?

thanks
 

thanks John...just one...the baseman...gave the rest to the goodwill...

The Three
 

That I own, I recently picked up the First baseman that Ben made me aware that it looks strikingly similar to Lou Gehrig.

So cool Carlton!