Lot # 80: Jack Nicklaus & Arnold Palmer Signed "The Lost Bet" Framed Photo

Category: Autographs

Starting Bid: $200.00

Bids: 26 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "2023 Masters Week Auction",
which ran from 3/27/2023 7:00 PM to
4/8/2023 8:00 PM



Originally snapped by famed photographer William F. Thompson in 1967 at the Champions Country Club in Houston, this beautiful oversized black & white 16 x 20" photograph captures the competitive spirit of one of the greatest rivalries of our time. What is particularly amazing is that Mr. Thompson hid the photo away for almost 40 years as a promise to Palmer and Nicklaus not to sell it to the Associated Press.

This photo depicts the King paying up on his friendly wager of $50 to rival Jack Nicklaus. This iconic photo was only released after Thompson's passing in 2001, and appeared nationally for the first time in the November 2006 issue of Golf Digest and was referred to as "the man to man act of financial transaction." It is now more popularly referred to as "The Lost Bet." Making this beautifully framed photo even more coveted is the fact that it has been signed by both Palmer and Nicklaus; a rarity indeed!

Very few of these signed photos exist. We previously sold one in our April 2015 auction for $3,314. Framed to approximately 24" x 29".