LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2006 October Signature Sports Auction #705  / 

19336

1940's Johnny Longden Race Worn Helmet & Cap

Currency:USD Category:Sports - Cards & Fan Shop Start Price:250.00 USD Estimated At:1,000.00 - 1,500.00 USD
1940's Johnny Longden Race Worn Helmet & Cap
<B>1940's Johnny Longden Race Worn Helmet & Silk Riding Cap.</B></I> Exceptional race worn pair shows tremendous use from the Sport of Kings. The battered metal riding helmet likely saved Longden's life at least once if the frightening dents that coat its surface are any indication. Leather chinstrap is worn but solid and complete, and "Geno, Paris" tagging is found inside. A vintage strip of tape on the shell has handwritten "Johnny Longden" penned to its surface. The accompanying silk riding cap shows strong wear as well, with minor damage to the right side of the visor and mild foxing throughout. Vintage ink on interior headband reads, "J. Longden, Santa Anita." A fabulous matched set.<BR><BR><BR> The Johnny Longden Personal Collection of Horse Racing Memorabilia<BR><BR> Presented in the lots that follow are the spoils and mementos of one of the finest horse racing careers in the Sport of Kings' long and distinguished history. Narrowly missing what may well have been a fatal voyage upon the Titanic to join his father in 1912, Longden turned that fortuitous twist of fate into a life of racing brilliance, retiring in 1966 as the all time wins leader in the sport. In a tour of duty beginning in 1927, Longden established a total of 32,413 mounts and 6,032 winners. Among the world class horses he rode were Swaps and Whirlaway, but he always considered Count Fleet, which carried him to the 1943 Triple Crown, to be the finest of them all. Five times he was the top money winner in the country, and he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1958. After Longden's retirement, he turned his attentions to training, winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness with Majestic Prince in 1969. He is still the only man to win the Derby as a rider and a trainer. To this day, only Willie Shoemaker is considered to share the same elite level as a jockey as Longden. And so Heritage is very pleased to have the opportunity to offer these cherished keepsakes from Longden's professional career to the collecting community.
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