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History of the Sandow!
The CEO of Physique Bodyware was fortunate enough to acquire the most coveted of all prizes in the history and sport of bodybuilding, the Sandow Trophy statue. Mr. George Helmer, a friend and president and CEO of the Steve Reeves International Society, has authenticated this verdigris patina bronze work of art as an original IFBB Mr. Olympia trophy version. George actually compared our Sandow to the original Sandow Trophy won by bodybuilding legend Mr. Steve Reeves at the 1950 Mr. Universe contest in London where he beat Reg Park and gave us the nod it is an original Sandow. With so many fakes and copies around today it is truly a thrill to own a part of bodybuilding history!
Such a Deal
The seller, an old time Hollywood actor and TV executive in Burbank, CA acquired this Sandow many years ago from a well known pro bodybuilder down on his luck back in the 80’s, maybe even an Olympia winner? Sworn to secrecy, this bodybuilder’s identity still remains anonymous 'till this day which only adds more mystery and intrigue to this legendary work of art. Who could have been so down & out back in the day that he'd part with such a prize? Was it Frank Zane? Was it Franco Colombu? Maybe it was Chris Dickerson or even Lee Haney? Arnold did not need the money, he had all that Conan & Terminator cash! Maybe it was Samir Bannout?
The Artist
The son of an artist, Frederick W. Pomeroy was born on Oct. 9, 1856 in London. Known for his talent and skilled eye in nude portrait work both male and female it was clear to see why he was chosen to create this masterful bronze statue.
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The Man! The Legend!
Eugene Sandow was born Frederich Wilhelm Mueller on April 2, 1867 in Prussia, now Germany and spent most of his years in London. Little did he know that he would pave the way to today’s fitness revolution and become the first modern bodybuilder to get paid for flexing his muscles and as a personal trainer. Sandow’s life style was like a modern day rock star on tour going country to country as a featured headliner and entertainer as a music hall strong man even rivaling the great magician Harry Houdini. On Sept. 14 1901, now a successful gym owner and physical culture entrepreneur Sandow promoted the first ever bodybuilding contest known as “The Great Competition”. Out of twelve contestants the field was narrowed down to just three winners of a statuette of Sandow himself. First prize, was a gold statue won by William L. Murray. This statue was never found and the story goes it was either melted down or destroyed during WW II in London. Second prize was silver and bronze was for third place. Sandow authorized several different copies of the statue; they were either given to friends and admirers or sold, while others were displayed in Sandow’s gymnasiums to help promote physical culture. Most of these statues were destroyed, damaged or lost over time. In 1925 Sandow passed away at his home in London. The unusual circumstances that surround his death still remain a mystery.
It's Show Time
The 1950 Mr. Universe contest was held in London and it was time for the Sandow to make its long overdo debut. The original third place bronze statue from “ The Great Competition” would be the first prize trophy given out this night. English muscleman, Reg Park was the favorite to win that night. What a great relief to know that the Sandow awarded fifty years earlier would never leave the motherland; they were wrong! American superstar Steve Reeves defeated Park in a huge upset that brought the Sandow to the US where it wouldn't be used as a trophy again until 1977.
The Rest Is History
Frank Zane was the first winner of the famed statue in over a quarter century in Ohio. Now, over 26 years later the Sandow is the most recognized and sought after prize in bodybuilding. Not just a piece of bodybuilding history and fine art, the Sandow is much more, it represents the beginning of the physical culture movement and a lifestyle that changed the world and its people.
Physique Bodyware salutes Eugene Sandow for his many great accomplishments that started the health & fitness revolution. If you think you know who gave up his Sandow trophy drop us a line!
-W. Patrick
Physique Bodyware Staff Writer
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