This unbelievably rare find is an original NOGI award from 1964. The NOGI awards originally came in existence as part of the trophy system offered during the 1950s for the underwater division of the New Orleans Grand Isle Fishing Tournament.(NOGI is the acronym for the first four words of the tournament\'s name.)

In its current form, the NOGI awards date back to 1960 when Jay Albeaneseand Louis Cuccia of New Orleans approached the Underwater Society of America for its sanction of an \"award to annually recognize leaders in the field of skin and SCUBA diving in four categories.\" Since 1993, the NOGI awards scheme has been the responsibility of the Academy of Underwater Arts and Sciences.

The original NOGI statuettes like this onewere designed by New Orleans sculptor Vero Puccio, who hand carved them out of mahogany and you can see his carved signature and date on the back of the base. Since 2005 the statuettes have been made of cast Lucite.These awards are considered the Oscar of the ocean world and have been presented to Jacques Cousteau and James Cameron.

This asecond place trophy from 1964. All threeplaques are marked in the corner STERLING and I have not tried to clean them. The one over the diver\'s head readsRED SNAPPER, 2ND. 1964,the upperplaque on the base reads NOGI AWARDand the largest one on the base reads NOGI SCUBA DIVERS INTERNATIONAL TOURNMENT GRAND ISLE SHIPYARD.

The statue stands about 20\" tall and all is in excellent condition.Not only a handsome piece oforiginal art but one with historical significance. Please see the photos and ask us any questions.