This bronze statue is offered for sale on behalf of the International Institute for Sport and Olympic History (IISOH), a Pennsylvania non-profit educational, literary and research corporation organized to operate a library and museum devoted to the History of Sport, Physical Education, Recreation, Dance, Sport in Art and the Olympic Games.

ROCKY was commissioned by Sylvester Stallone in 1983. The artist, A. Thomas Schomberg, contracted to make a limited edition of three (3) of these ten foot bronze statues. Created for the movie ROCKY III -- the statue depicts the fictional character ROCKY BALBOA, the underdog boxing hero of the ROCKY film series.  The statue was erected on the top steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.  Sylvester Stallone created the story of ROCKY and starred as the boxing hero.  Stallone went to artist A. Thomas Schomberg to create the statue for the film. After the filming ended, Stallone donated the statue to the City of Philadelphia.

But when the filming ended, a furious debate arose between the Art Museum's Board of Trustees and the City's Art Commission over the meaning of "art." Claiming the statue was not "art" but rather a "movie prop," the Museum demanded that the statue be removed from its steps.  The entire city erupted into a heated debate over the placement of ROCKY.  The city considered various alternate locations and settled upon the front of the Spectrum sports complex in South Philadelphia. ROCKY was later returned to the Art Museum steps and appeared in ROCKY V, as well as the films MANNEQUIN and PHILADELPHIA.  Once again it was moved to the front of the South Philadelphia sports complex where it stands today.

ROCKY # 2 will stand in front of the Museum of the International Institute for Sport and Olympic History.  The IISOH is a Pennsylvania non-profit educational corporation that is planning to build a Library and Museum on a 300 acre site in or near State College, PA, near Penn State University.  ROCKY #3 is being offered by the IISOH as its first major fund-raising event. The statue in this auction is one of three that were created by artist A. Thomas Schomberg for Sylvester Stallone's movie. All three statues are exactly alike. It is the only one that will ever be made available to the public -- so it is unique.

The winning bidder will receive ROCKY #3 – the third statue in this limited edition of three statues. ROCKY #1 stands in Philadelphia, and will remain there. ROCKY #2 will be placed in front of the museum of the International Institute for Sport and Olympic History. ROCKY #3 goes to the winning bidder in this auction.

But, the winner cannot pack it up, and take it home. ROCKY #3 is still in the mold. ROCKY #3 will be cast in bronze by artist A. Thomas Schomberg in July, 2004. The artist originally made three molds of the ROCKY statue, and cast only one – which is in Philadelphia. The IISOH acquired the other two statues – both in the molds. These statues will be cast in July, 2004. All three statues are exactly alike. All are cast in bronze. All the molds will be destroyed after casting.

SHIPPING and insurance are included in the winning bid; estimated weight of two tons. The artist will personally erect the statue at the buyer's chosen location along with a representative from the IISOH.