[AFRICAN AMERICANA - SPORTS]. Archive identified to "Mae" Faggs Starr, "The First Lady of Track" and three-time Olympic athlete, incl. inscribed programs from the 1952 Helsinki Olympics and related ephemera.

Archive comprised of more than 50 programs, imprints, magazines, and other ephemera collected by Aeriwentha "Mae" Faggs Starr (1932-2000). Called "The First Lady of Track," Faggs earned the distinction of being the first US female to participate in three Olympiads (1948, 1952, and 1956). She graduated from Bayside High School located in Queens, NY, and attended Tennessee State University to run under Hall of Fame coach Ed Temple. In 1952, at age 20, Faggs won an Olympic gold medal as a member of the US 4 x 100 meter relay team. She returned to the Olympics in 1956, coming away with a bronze medal in the 4 x 100 meter relay with teammates Margaret Matthews, Isabelle Daniels, and Wilma Rudolph, with whom she developed a close friendship. Between 1949 and 1956, Faggs recorded six victories in the 220-meter dash, and in 1954, 1955, and 1956, she won the AAU 200-meter dash, which earned her the designation as an All-American by the organization. In 1976, Faggs was elected into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame. For several years, she taught athletics at Princeton High School in Cincinnati, OH, and led the high school girls' track and field team to the Ohio championship in 1989.

Highlights from the collection include: 15+ programs, pamphlets, and guides from the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki collected by Faggs. Some programs include Faggs' handwritten notes recording times and other details about competing track stars. -- 24 x 16 in. double-sided broadside issued by the Atlanta Daily World, headlined, "US Hails Stars Here for Sports Jamboree," Atlanta, GA, 1 February 1957. Several prominent athletes are highlighted, including Faggs, Wilma Rudolph, and Frank Robinson, with what appears to be an autograph written in Robinson's hand above his portrait. -- 2 programs from the Women's National Track and Field Championships from 1954 and 1957. -- 3 programs from the Tennessee A & I University dating from the early 1950s. -- Programs from Wayne High School, an African American high school located in Lockland, OH, dating from the late 1940s-early 1950s. -- Small group of documents related to Fagg's teaching career.

This lot is located in Cincinnati.

Overall, the programs, imprints, and ephemera are in very good condition. Wear consistent with age and use.

Atlanta Daily World broadside: fold lines, with separation and wear near folds, occasional spotting.

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Please email [email protected] for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.

Katie Horstman

VP, Head of Department, American Historical Ephemera and Early Photography

[email protected]513.666.4958

Ms. Horstman has spent over a decade specializing in historic photography and Americana at auction. During her tenure, she has overseen several notable single owner auctions, including property from the inventory of celebrated Americana and antique arms expert Norm Flayderman. During her time with the firm, she has maintained an active membership in the Daguerreian Society. Ms. Horstman holds an MA in Art History from the University of Cincinnati and a BA in Art History from The Ohio State University.

American Historical Ephemera and Photography

[AFRICAN AMERICANA - SPORTS]. Archive identified to "Mae" Faggs Starr, "The First Lady of Track" and three-time Olympic athlete, incl. inscribed programs from the 1952 Helsinki Olympics and related ephemera.

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