Lot # 1762: 1946 University of Illinois Western Conference Champions 10K Gold Football Pendant Charm Presented to Ralph "Babe" Serpico

Celebrate a fine season for the University of Illinois football team with the capture of this 1946 Western Conference Champions 10K gold football pendant charm, presented to Ralph "Babe" Serpico. The Western Conference was alternately known as the Big Nine Conference at the time and is currently the Big Ten. A native of Melrose Park, Illinois, Serpico was the defensive captain for the Fighting Illini in 1946, when they racked up an 8-2 record, that included a resounding 45-14 win against UCLA in the 1947 Rose Bowl. The strong finish led to a No. 5 national ranking in the 1946 final standings for Serpico and his Illinois teammates. Seen on the front of this yellow gold football pendant is the date 1946 in raised numerals, centered by a blue enamel letter "I," followed by engraved laces, and the legend "Western Conference Champions," also in blue enamel lettering on a raised banner below. The back is marked 10K on the center seam of the football, and the presentation engraving on the upper panel reads "R. Serpico, G," with the G signifying Serpico's position was guard. Serpico's honors include 1944 All-American selection, 1944 All-Big Ten First Team selection (known as the Big Nine at the time), 1945 All-Big Ten Honorable Mention, 1945 Illinois team captain, 1946 Illinois defensive captain, four-time letterman at Illinois, and most importantly, 1947 Rose Bowl champion. Serpico is also reported to have played professionally in the AAFC with the Chicago Rockets, before injuries put an end to his career. As attested by a rightfully proud heir, this gold football charm has remained in the Serpico family since it was first presented to Ralph Serpico in 1946. The hanging hoop remains firmly attached at top, and overall wear is minor. Accompanying is a jeweler's LOA stating the weight of this pendant is 6.50 grams, and the gold purity is 10K. The LOA erroneously reports the date on the football as "1948," an honest mistake, as the upper stem of the number "6" is looped downward, making contact with the lower loop.