Albersheim's 2015 November Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/14/2015
Charles W. Bidwill, Sr: Class of 1967. Purchased Cardinals' franchise, 1933. . . Staunch faith in NFL stood as guiding light during dark depression years. . .Dealt AAFC most stunning blow with $100,000 signing of Charley Trippi, 1947. . .Built famous "Dream Backfield" but died before it could bring him a Cardinals championship. . .Financial help saved Bears' ownership for George Halas, 1932. Loyola of Chicago. 1933-1947 Chicago Cardinals. Born September 16, 1895, in Chicago, Illinois. Died April 19, 1947, at age of 51.
About The Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Display Translite Collection
Anyone who has visited the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the past 40 years or even has simply watched the annual induction ceremony on TV will immediately recognize these translite portraits as an integral part of Canton’s enshrinement displays.
This original Pro Football Hall of Fame (PFHOF) enshrinement display known as a "translite" presents as a color transparency image of mural art encased between two pieces of clear plastic measuring approximately 24" by 32". As confirmed by the Executive Director of the PFHOF these actual translites were displayed in the enshrinement halls as part of the enshrinee niche from 1975 through 1989 at which time they were replaced by the identical but smaller translites found today. This is a historic one-of-a-kind artifact with provenance as having originated from the Hall of Fame in Canton Ohio.
The example presented here is an original 24” x 32” translite that debuted from approximately 1975 to 1989 before being replaced by the current smaller 16” x 25-1/2” translites. In letters sent to Hall of Fame members back in October of 2002, Executive Director John Bankert described each piece as a “transparency image of mural art encased between two pieces of clear plastic [and] lighted from behind.” Bankert further stated that the translites were meant to be destroyed by a contractor after their removal but instead were given to the contractor, who retained some translites and sold others to the featured HOFers themselves. A copy of this letter will be included with each translite.
A constant companion to the Hall of Fame’s prestigious busts, translites are showcased on an easel at induction ceremonies and then, along with their respective bust, become the official symbolic representation of that legend’s elite legacy. Thus, each and every one of these rare translites is an intimate historical artifact of great personal significance to the life of its gridiron great. What’s more, seldom if ever do opportunities arise to own collectibles that once resided in the hallowed halls of Canton! These are literally museum pieces!
A Note About Condition of the Translites:
In terms of condition, the translites all maintain very strong presentation value, which is evident in our photos. However, as items that were displayed for many years in the Football Hall of Fame and then stored by the collector who rescued these treasures, which may have included being installed and re-installed or moved from one area to another, each piece does have some defects in the way of scratches, wrinkling or small areas of color loss. This is to say that they are not "new," but to reiterate that they still look very presentable. If there are any glaring condition issues, these would be detailed in the individual translite's online description.