Knute Rockne Tribute

[Oldtix]

I have no specific information on this one, but as a longtime collector of radio broadcast memorabilia I can confirm that it was very common during the early 1930s for sponsors to mail out printed copies of radio speeches and commentaries. That practice was encouraged in those days as a way of measuring listenership and also as a reinforcing bond with the sponsor. Printed materials like this might also have been available at local dealerships of national broadcast sponsors like Ford.

The fact that the name of the sponsor is prominently mentioned on your Rockne piece leads me to suspect this might have been one of those early broadcast souvenirs. It's a superb piece.

[D. Broughman]

Thank you for the information Oldtix. D.

[henson1855]

Knute with Babe and Lou

[thekingofclout]

Originally Posted by henson1855

Knute with Babe and Lou

That has to be one of the finest pieces of sports memorabilia I have ever seen!

Would love to hear the story on that one.

Best, Jimmy

[CarltonHendricks]

Originally Posted by henson1855

Knute with Babe and Lou

I'm not a photo guy mainly because I like bigger stuff...but that's one heck of a photo....and interesting....what's going on there? Babe in a Notre Dame FB uniform....Lou in a U. So. Cal one...and then the felt Stanford banner laying across the table...It looks like they're there to eat, and then to first get Ruth, Gehrig, and Rockne all together for the event....then to get Ruth and Gehrig to monkey suit up....it must have been an important event to get all that going....and to top it off it's signed!!...I'm assuming those are real autographs....ya know what....you don't want that cheesy thing....mail it off and I'll get it out of your hair...

OK so what's the whole story? Where and how did you get it? What's the who what when where how? What's the dimensions? Is it a wire photo? Have you ever seen another? Is that like a $25,000 photo?

[CarltonHendricks]

Rockne died March 31, 1931 so your pamphlet was produced just 5 days after he died.

These don't surface too often, but I've seen a few. I have one I picked up somewhere many years ago. There seems to have been quite a bit of posthumous/memorial Rockne stuff produced, like little statues and such. I have this one paperbound booklet thing that sensationalizes the plane crash he was killed in, by claiming it was mysterious or something...I'd have to dig it out but point is, all this stuff show how popular he was.

I only have a cursory knowledge of the subject, but I recall reading somewhere that the Rockne family imposed litigation to stop the production of a small statue that was produced of him because they didn't care for the likeness...or something. I think it was the gold colored one in the photo below that has something leaning on it.

[D. Broughman]

Carlton I don't usually collect football memorabilia but found this item in a box of different items that were priced. This item was not marked so I ask how much and thought it was worth the $5.00. Thanks for the information it was very interesting. D.

[thekingofclout]

And the reason Rockne was on the plane that fateful day was, he was coming to Hollywood to consult on the movie about his life in which Walsh put together.

Here's a ticket stub from the "Rockne Memorial Game" that the Irish played in his honor.
knuterockneticket.jpg


TYPE I photo of Walsh & Rockne and famous "Gipper" ticket stub.
rocknewalsh.jpggipperticketstub.jpg

[Oldtix]

Originally Posted by CarltonHendricks

I have this one paperbound booklet thing that sensationalizes the plane crash he was killed in, by claiming it was mysterious or something...I'd have to dig it out but point is, all this stuff show how popular he was.

I think this is the booklet Carlton is referencing. It's a hilarious read...raising all sorts of questions about the cause of the wreck. After providing lurid descriptions of the crash scene and the condition of Rockne's body, it finally builds to the this thrilling climax:

"In gathering all the comments upon this tragic accident, the author of this book has talked with scores of fliers, eyewitnesses and investigators.

Two causes for the plane wreck have never even been mentioned in the public press, yet men versed in flying all over this country are discussing -- NOT FOR PUBLICATION -- their real, secret opinions...

They say that either the plane was unfit to fly and that weakened parts gave way without warning, to send the plane plunging in its death dive, or ---

The plane had been deliberately tampered with so that it would lose part of its wing!"

It goes on to say that since the plane was less than two years old with a relatively small number of flying hours, then "only one explanation remains: Someone tampered with the plane!"

"The reader is left to judge for himself."

I imagine most of them judged they'd wasted a quarter.

The 32-page booklet is filled with many unusual photos of the crash site and the funeral and a summary of Rockne's career. Well worth the quarter today!

[ksfarmboy]

I've been a Rockne and ND fame since I was a kid. I read a book on his life in grade school and became an instant admirer. He was more than just a great coach and if you get the chance read a bio of him.

I don't really collect Rockne items but my first major football card purchase was his 55 Topps All American card in the 70's for $5. I also have one other item that will never leave my collection. It's a piece from the crash. My dad and I stumbled upon it at an auction. It's a great reminder of that tragic day in Kansas when a great coach and man died.

Here's a report on the accident.
http://www.irishlegends.com/Pages/re...lections5.html