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1968 Original Bronze Commissioned by the NFL for the "Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year' Award by Daniel Schwartz
Be careful here. This is not a mere trophy, same as the many presented to worthy and respected men of the NFL through the decades. This is the highly significant prototype BRONZE created by the original sculptor Daniel Schwartz who was commissioned by the NFL to create the award in 1968. Modeled after New York Giants' lineman Steve Wright, this is a seminal work of sports art. This bronze sculpture is one of only two ever made, each unique (the other has no face mask), making this a one-of-a-kind. Atop a marble base, it measures 19" tall in total, and weighs 60 pounds! Again, it is immensely superior in terms of quality and wow factor compared to the player trophy. The artist's signature is visible on the bottom next to his foot. This is from the personal collection of the artist/sculptor Daniel Schwartz, who was commissioned by the NFL in 1968 to create this most prestigious award.First awarded in 1970 as "NFL Man of the Year Award" it became the "Walter Payton Award" after the iconic running back passed away in 1999. This visibility took the award to new levels of importance and awareness. Regardless, this award is special and unlike any other in the game. It honors a player's work on and off the field, spotlighting his volunteer and charity work as well as on-field excellence.The best thing you can say about this piece is that it is worthy of the man who it now carries his name. Plus, how many original finished pieces of a major trophy have become available? The closest thing we can think (yet so far) is the mold to to the Heisman Trophy which sold at Sotheby's in 2005 for $228,000.
Past Sports Card, Memorabilia, Non-Sports Card and Collecitble Auction Items
Other past auction items that may be of interest to you.
1891 Football Noseguard
Turn of the Century "Melon" Football
1964 NFL Champion Cleveland Browns Signed Team Photo
1999-2000 Baltimore Ravens Game Worn Jerseys (11)
Late 1960’s Pro Football Hall of Fame Signed Letterhead
1999 CFL Grey Cup Trophy
1969 Minnesota Vikings Championship Ring
