Drake Relays

LeRoy Neiman (1921 – 2012, American) “Drake Relays” (1979) Vintage lithographic poster depicting Olympic Champion Bruce Jenner, wearing number 79 across the chest, and crossing a finish line. Jenner had debuted as a decathlete in 1970 in the Drake Relays decathlon in Des Moines, Iowa. LeRoy Neiman’s printed signature and date (79) is in the lower right and the text at the bottom reads ‘Hammer Graphics 33 West 57th Street New York. Copyright Leroy Neiman Inc 1979’. The poster measures 35 x 23 inches and it is in a frame measuring 35.25 x 23.25 inches; not examined out of frame.

This image was used as the program cover for the 1979 event celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Drake Relays program. Jenner finished in fifth place in his first event in 1970, but in 1972, 1975, and 1976, Jenner won Drake Relay’s decathlon events and in 1978 he was inducted into the Drake Relays Hall of Fame.

LeRoy Neiman is best known for his brilliantly colored, stunningly energetic images of sporting events and leisure activities. He began his artistic career creating posters for merchants to advertise store sales. Once he became an established artist, he created posters commemorating and promoting special cultural and sporting events, including the Super Bowl, the World Series, the Kentucky Derby, championship boxing, PGA and The Masters golf tournament, and the Tour de France.