Jim Thorpe

[Michael B]

There are two Jim Thorpe postcards in the 1912 set. Fortunately, I have both. The other one is card #99 and features the start of the 1500m in the Pentathlon. In 1912 there was the Modern Pentathlon, which is still competed today. Gen George Patton competed in that one in 1912. There was also the athletic pentathlon - long jump, javelin, 200m, discus and 1500m. This card is much harder to find than #238, the one shown in this thread.

Thorpe #99.jpg

From left to right

Ferdinand Bie of Norway - shared the silver medal
Jim Thorpe
Austin Menoul of the U.S.
Frank Lukeman of Canada - bronze medal
Hugo Wieslander of Sweden
Jim Donahue of the U.S. - shared the silver medal
Avery Brundage - he did not finish this race. Best known as president of the International Olympic Committee, he was an accomplished athlete in the 1910's. He finished second in the AAU decathlon championship in 1915. Alma Richards, the man who beat him, was the high jump gold medalist in Stockholm.

[aelefson]

Amazing items shared so far! Here is a photo I have of Thorpe. I am not sure what it was used for but Jeff pointed out that Professor Steckbeck was the author of a book on Thorpe in the early 1950s.

Alan

[Hankphenom]

Listen to Chief Meyers talking about Thorpe in the audio version of "The Glory of Their Times." It will break your heart.