This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/10/2004.
At the age of 19, Gertrude Ederle became the first woman to swim the English Channel in 1926 (France to England), and later went on to win an Olympic gold medal (swimming) and set various world records. In the 1950s, Florence Chadwick became the first woman to swim the Channel both ways in record time. She also swam the Straits of Gibralter in 1953, breaking records set by male swimmers. This 17" x 21" framed display piece features rare autographs of both pioneering female swimmers. There is a 1932 Olympiad Water Sports commemorative envelope on which Chadwick has written, "To Harry Gustkey, Best Wishes Always, Florence Chadwick." To the right is an index card on which Ederle has written, "Best always, Swimmingly yours, Gertrude Trudy Ederle, New York, Successful Channel Swim, August 6, 1926, 35 miles in 14 ½ hrs." Above Chadwick's autograph is mounted an Associated Press wire photo dated 8/8/1975, picturing Chadwick in the water from a 1950 file photo. Above Ederle's autograph is mounted a popular Sports Illustrated caster card featuring her. The signatures and inscriptions grade a 9 and come with a letter from PSA/DNA.