It's been talked about in other threads, but the topic deserves its own thread.
Who collects swimming memorabilia? What's in your collection? Pictures? Autographs? Ribbons? Medals? Here is the place to talk about objects and artifacts you have that relate to the history of the sport of swimming.
OK, I'll start. Since I seem to have a 'bad girl' thing going with a surprise Eleanor Holm autograph, I thought an autographed copy of FHM with Amanda Beard (World's Sexiest Athlete cover) would be an essential. I saw one today on eBay and bought it for $10.49. In my lifetime, it may achieve an auction value greater than that. :cane:
I may have to bring a copy of the Amanda issue of Playboy to the Olympic Trials (in a plain brown wrapper, of course) and hunt her down for an autograph. For lack of a better description, signed copies of FHM and Playboy would make a nice pair.
:kiss1:
The funny thing was, he slipped on the start and basically started from a dead halt. Much uproarious commentary followed about the Olympic gold medal backstroker and his starting prowess.
Sadly, sounds like my start, which he helped teach me. Yes, he even held me around the waist to teach me to bend backwards on the start.
Alison
Too bad about the cap. I'm paranoid about my Caulkins/Phelps and Meagher/Crocker caps, so I keep them in their original bags, out of the light, away from heat, and never use them for swimming. I've always wondered if there was something more I could do to preserve them.
If they are latex and if latex is compatible with resin or acrylic, you could have them cast within one of the substances and use them as a display or paperweight. At least that way you could look at them. It's a bummer to have something you can't enjoy because of its sensitivity.
Former Member
T-shirts! Now there's an interesting category of swimming memorabilia. We could probably put on an exhibit at ISHOF with all the shirts Skip has from past USMS Nationals.
I had a T-shirt quilt made by Andrea Funk (and signed) using T-shirts from before the year 2000, but I still have all my Nationals T-shirts going back to 1992. I should have 24 if I got one at every nationals, which I think I did. Once I have enough, I'm getting back in touch with Andrea.
There was another T-shirt quilt on display at the 2003 USMS Short Course Nationals in Tempe (in The Victor booth). They were asking if anyone could guess whose it was, and I got it right - Graham Johnston. I recall the "Dad's Club" logo was the tip-off on that one.
Here's a link to the article about Andrea Funk in SWIMMER:
www.usmsswimmer.com/.../lifelessons.pdf
...and a link to her T-shirt quilting business:
www.toocooltshirtquilts.com/
Former Member
John Naber was doing television reports at the '04 Trials. I met him - great guy, didn't get his autograph - but have a funny memory. He swam backstroke on an exhibition relay with Janet Evans anchoring. The funny thing was, he slipped on the start and basically started from a dead halt. Much uproarious commentary followed about the Olympic gold medal backstroker and his starting prowess.
We've had the opportunity to get some caps signed a time or two by Phelps, Lochte, and the Kirk sisters. We don't keep them around though, my daughter swims with them on a daily basis. The sheer number of Phelps autographed caps out there virtually guarantees that they will never be worth more than the latex they are manufactured from.I have an autographed photo of the president of USMS. It is rumored to be the only one in existence. I wonder what it’s worth…
Former Member
I would like to find a pair of late 1960's early 1970's big black rubber goggles with the old glass lenses that can pop out. Some were circular and some were triangular in shape. The rubber was thick like diver's gear and the straps were adjustable with thick rubber notches.
I would look great strappin' on a pair of those puppies for the final heat of the 50 free at Austin masters nationals !
John Smith
I have an autographed photo of Lenny Krayzelburg. It says "Meg, I still remember the night of the championships. You were fantastic!! Warmest regards, Lenny."
I also have a photo Janet Evans autographed for my son that says "Go for the gold, Joey!"
And I have a picture of Josh Davis peeling off his Fastskin at Worlds (darn the luck, he had another suit on underneath).
Former Member
T-shirts! I had a T-shirt quilt made by Andrea Funk...
Bill,
Could you post a photo of your t-shirt quilt? I'd love to see it.
Anna Lea
