Albersheim's 2015 June Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/7/2015
John Pennell(D. 1993 at age 53) was an American pole vaulter and four-time world record holder. Pennel won the 1963 Sullivan Award as the nation's top amateur athlete and was favored to capture the gold medal at the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo. Unfortunately, he suffered a back injury six weeks before the Games and finished 11th, with a height of 15-5. American teammate Fred Hansen set an Olympic record with a vault of 16-8¾ and won the Gold medal. After the Olympics, Hansen vaulted an unratified 17-3¾, and Bob Seagren set the mark at 17–5 two years later. Following Seagren’s performance, Pennel reclaimed the record at 17–6 (5.34 m) in 1966, his third ratified world record. Pennel was favored to win an Olympic gold in Mexico City in 1968, but he finished 5th. Seagren won the gold instead. In 1969, Pennel set his fourth and final world record, 17–10¼ (5.44 m) A series of injuries led him to retire from competition in 1970. After his pole vaulting career, Pennel worked in marketing for Adidas and other companies. He also appeared in television commercials. In the early 1990s, he was diagnosed with stomach and liver cancer and died at age 53. Pennel was inducted into the USA Track & Field Hall of Fame in 2004.
We offer a very rare signed 3x5 card. from a long time autograph collection that was put together throughout the 1960’s. RARE!!!
Letter of Authenticity from Richard Albersheim.