Single G cigar box
| Lot number | 14 |
|---|---|
| Auction | Johnson Art & Antiques Online Auction |
| Date | September 1, 2026 at 6:30 pm ET |
| Auction house | Harmeyer Auction & Appraisal Co. |
| Location | Rushville, Indiana |
Description
Exceptionally hard-to-find cigar box that features Single G, described on the label as the "World's Greatest Race Horse." Vintage three-dimensional items related to Single G are practically nonexistent.
The label shows a portrait of Single G set against a background of the champion on a racetrack. Small print above the horse head reads, "Foaled 1910 / World's Record / Syracuse, N.Y. - 1923 / at 13 yrs-158 1/2." At the lower-right corner of the large "G" is "By Permission of W.B. Barefoot." In the lower-right corner of the label is "Title & Designe__ / Owned by Haas Bru__." 3 1/4" x 5 1/8", 3 1/4" tall.
The label appears to be trimmed at the left and right edge in order to fit the box, but this label and box went together. There is wear and light soiling to the label. The "5›" on the left side of the label has a small bit of lithography loss. The box is in great condition overall with minor wear. The left and right ends have remnants of paper tape that sealed the container. The bottom has a partial label for "Factory No. 399, 1st Dist. PA. 10," which has been placed over the original printing; partially visible text there includes "Factory No. 304."
Named for the white G-shaped mark on his forehead, Single G was foaled in 1910. He was co-owned for the first two years by W.B. Barefoot of Cambridge City, Indiana, and L.D. Commons of Converse, Indiana, who had bred the horse. Barefoot acquired full ownership of the pacer harness horse in 1912.
From ages 3 to 16, Single G started in 434 heats, placing in 418 of them and taking top honors in 262. He remained the top money winning Standardbred for over 20 years after his retirement. His fastest mile was 1:58 1/2 at the age of 13, and he paced a 2-minute mile when he was 15. It's a feat no other horse has duplicated at such an advanced age.
Single G was retired at age 17 and sired 81 performers with Standard records. He died in 1940. Overshadowed by other horses over the years, most notably Dan Patch, Single G is now known as "the horse that time forgot."