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RR Auction: Olympics

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Lot 3004 - Squaw Valley 1960 Winter Olympics Torch - Excessively rare official torch of the Squaw Valley 1960 Winter Olympics, marked as number "10" on the bottom of the handle, comprised of silver aluminum and measuring 19″ long, considered to be among the rarest and most valuable of all Olympic torches. Inspired by the Ralph Lavers design of the torches used in 1948 and 1956, this torch was designed by legendary Disney 'imagineer' John Hench, and features three Olympic rings cutouts around the bowl, above a circular legend: "VIII Olympic Winter Games." Below is the Squaw Valley Games emblem between two branches and the legend "Olympia to Squaw Valley." The burner wick remains in place. The torch exhibits some minor scuffing to the bowl and handle. Consignor notes that this was acquired from the estate of a California state employee who was responsible for for the safety of the of the torch runners. Interestingly, Walt Disney served as chairman of the Pageantry Committee for the 1960 Squaw Valley Games, whose duties included the organization of the torch relay. One of his Disney artists, John Hench, designed the torch, the 16-foot snow-sculptures that lined the Avenue of Athletes, and the massive, 79-foot-tall Tower of Nations that marked the staging area where the opening and closing ceremonies were held. The torch's legend, "Olympia to Squaw Valley," indicates the route originally envisioned for the relay preceding the VIII Olympic Winter Games. However, the Hellenic Olympic Committee, informed a month before the Games, did not have enough time to organize a lighting ceremony at the traditional site. Instead, the Olympic flame was lit in Morgedal, Norway, at the home of the 'father of modern skiing,' Sondre Norheim, then transported by car to Copenhagen via Oslo. The flame was then flown to Los Angeles, where the relay carried it north through Bakersfield, Fresno, Stockton, San Francisco, and Sacramento, before arriving at Squaw Valley. On the day of the Opening Ceremony, the torch was carried by American skier Andrea Mead Lawrence, who was accompanied by eight members of the National Ski Patrol. The flame was passed to the last torchbearer, skater Kenneth Charles Henry, who did a lap of the ice in front of the Blyth Memorial Arena before lighting the cauldron in which the flame would burn throughout the Games.

Estim. 500 000 - 600 000 USD

Lot 3005 - Rome 1960 Summer Olympics Torch - Official 1960 Rome Summer Olympics torch, constructed of bronzed aluminum, measuring 15.5″ in length and 3.75″ at its widest point, manufactured by the Curtisa firm of Bologna. The torch’s designer, Amedeo Maiuri, was a renowned Italian archaeologist famous for his studies of the Roman site of Pompeii. Inspired by the designs and patterns of the host city’s ancient ruins and monuments, the torch is grooved with slender conical fluting along its candlestick frame, features consistent with the classical touch of the 1960 Games. The torch platform bears the engraving, “Giochi della XVII Olympiade,” and maker’s marks, “M. F.—Curtisa—Bologna, 3375,” can be found inscribed on the bottom of the handle. The torch bears trivial wear and dings to the upper and lower rims. Includes its original cylindrical presentation case with its inner plastic bag. The presence of this handsome case is quite rare and adds considerably to the overall appeal and completeness of the item; the case exhibits scattered wear, including denting to the end caps. The Olympic flame was lit on August 12th in Olympia, Greece, and was carried a total of 1,863 km—excluding the flame’s voyage from Athens to Syracuse aboard the training ship Amerigo Vespucci—by over 1,500 torchbearers during its historic fourteen-day relay. The XVII Olympiad earns the distinction of being the first Summer Olympics to be telecast in North America.

Estim. 4 500 - 5 500 USD

Lot 3006 - Tokyo 1964 Summer Olympics Torch - Official 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympics torch, consisting of a blackened aluminum alloy bowl and a stainless steel cylinder, measuring 25.5″ in length and 6.75″ at its widest point. Manufactured by Nippon Light Metal Co., the bowl is engraved "XVII Olympiad Tokyo 1964" with a set of Olympic rings, and underside of handle marked: "Nikkei Yanagi." The lower portion of the cylinder bears the Tokyo Games logo and reads "Showa Kaseihin Co., Ltd., 3-1964," with upper section marked: "Olym[pic Torch]," partially charred and illegible. Exhibits burn marks and wear to the burner cylinder, and a few scattered marks to the easily scuffed black bowl. Complete with the the rarely seen original cardboard boxes for both piece: a long thin box marked "Olympic Torch" for the burner tube, and a cube-shaped box with the Tokyo 1964 emblem for the torch holder. The Olympic flame was carried for 51 days by 870 runners for a total of 26,065 kilometers. Designed on the principle of the coal-mine safety lamp, the Tokyo Olympic torch was filled with priming powder and fumigant, a two-component ignition material that needed to be wind and rain resistant, and which could both easily ignite and extinguish. Its effect was similar to that of a flare, and it proved a safe and reliable instrument over the course of its hemisphere-trotting relay. Although a typhoon and various plane issues caused a one-day delay late in the schedule, the triumphant final relay by Yoshinori Sakai through Tokyo's National Olympic Stadium on October 10, 1964, served as a defining moment for a still healing post-war Japan. This torch bowl beautifully represents the moment the fifth ring of the Olympiad touched down on Asian soil. The Summer Olympics returned to Tokyo for the 2020 Games (hosted in 2021), making it the first Asian city to host two Summer Games.

Estim. 9 000 - 10 000 USD

Lot 3007 - Grenoble 1968 Winter Olympics Torch - Excessively rare official torch of the Grenoble 1968 Winter Olympics. One of just 33 manufactured by the Société Technique d'Equipement et de Fournitures Industrielle (STEFI), the torch is comprised of a handsome rose-gold bronze alloy with a red felt-wrapped grip. It measures 30″ in length, 4″ at its widest point, and weighs 3.6 lbs. The torch features a long, narrow combustion chamber with a crenelated upper section representing the flame. The sides of the burner head are decorated with three silver plaques featuring the Grenoble emblem designed by Roger Excoffon, depicting the Olympic rings surmounted by a snowflake, and encircled by the text, "Xes Jeux Olympiques d'Hiver, Grenoble 1968.” A small label is affixed to the bottom of the handle and the torch bears areas of oxidation and discoloring. Per the consignor, the original owner of this Grenoble torch installed and managed the gas equipment instrumental to the lighting of the Olympic flame during the opening ceremony. A magnificent opportunity to claim one of the rarest and most sought-after Olympic torches ever made. Lit in Olympia, Greece, on December 16, 1967, the Olympic flame traveled over Mount Olympus to Athens and was then flown to the Paris-Orly airport. The first torchbearer in France was Alain Mimoun, a gold medal-winning distance runner at the 1956 Games in Melbourne and three-time Olympic silver medallist. The final torchbearer was Alain Calmat, who won silver in skating at Innsbruck in 1964. Between the two, over 5,000 torchbearers carried the flame more than 7,000 kilometers through the Jura and Vosges mountains, the Massif Central, the Pyrenees, and the Alps, with a stop at Chamonix, host of the first-ever Olympic Winter Games in 1924.

Estim. 150 000 - 200 000 USD

Lot 3009 - Sapporo 1972 Winter Olympics Torch - Official 1972 Sapporo Winter Olympics torch, consisting of a cast-blackened aluminum alloy bowl and a stainless steel combustion tube, measuring an overall 25.5″ in length and 4.75″ at its widest point, manufactured by Nippon Koki. The torch’s designer, Sori Yanagi, was a pioneer of Japanese industrial design, whose simplistic and pure use of lines and curves were regarded as patently Japanese as they were universal. Inspired by the shape of the Olympic cauldron, this classic torch features a slender black bowl, with the handle impressed with the Sapporo Games logo, and the bottom engraved "Nikkei" and "Yanagi"; lower portion of the tube also bears the Sapporo Games logo, with the manufacturer's stamp below, "GD Nippon Koki Co., Ltd." Both the black bowl and tube exhibit moderate-to-heavy wear from use, with various nicks, scuffs, and scratches to handle, the upper portion of the tube charred and blackened, and worn markings on the tube. For the Sapporo relay, the torch was filled with priming and smoke-producing powder designed to burn for ten minutes for torches carried by runners and for fourteen minutes for those transported in cars. The Olympic flame was lit on December 28, 1971, in Olympia, Greece, and flown to Okinawa Island for the start of the Japanese relay, a massive undertaking that lasted 38 days and covered just under 19,000 km by an estimated 16,300 torchbearers—nearly all of whom shared a torch. Representing the first Winter Olympics to be held outside Europe and North America, the Sapporo Games proved to be an extravagant and groundbreaking event for the international athletic community. The Sapporo torch is highly sought as one of the rarest Olympic torches.

Estim. 18 000 - 20 000 USD

Lot 3013 - Lake Placid 1980 Winter Olympics Torch, Carried by Georgia's Relay Runner - Rare and unusual 1980 Lake Placid Olympics torch carried by DeForrest Jackson as Georgia's runner in the official torch relay, comprised of bronze-colored leather and metal, measuring 28.5″ in length and 8.5″ at its widest point, designed by Don McFarland and manufactured by Cleanweld Turner. The torch design and materials symbolized a blend of modern technology and a reference to Ancient Greece. The central ring lacks the Lake Placid emblem and text seen on many torches, as issued for this variant; the torch bowl also has a rare metal switch seen on few other examples of Lake Placid 1980 Winter Olympic relay torches, evidently designed to control the burn rate. The bottom brass ring, which exhibits some light wear, is engraved with the maker's information, "Cleanweld / Turner, Sycamore, Illinois” and marked “102.” The burner bowl remains in place. The torch exhibits some wear and scuffing to its leather-wrapped handle, as well as general overall wear from use in the relay. Additionally includes several uniform pieces and souvenirs issued to DeForrest Jackson to commemorate his role as a member of the Lake Placid 1980 Olympic Torch Relay Team: a thick, bright yellow winter jacket featuring a "XIII Olympic Winter Games Lake Placid 1980" embroidered patch on the chest, with matching winter overalls and a pair of gloves, all made by Asics; a "Lake Placid 1980 Olympic Torch Relay Team" tank top with matching running shorts, both made by Asics; a large 5' by 3' blue-and-white flag of the Lake Placid 1980 Olympic Winter Games; and an official nickel-silver participation medal issued for the Lake Placid 1980 Winter Olympics, housed in its original hinged case, featuring modernist relief views of the nine winter sports on the front, with Lake Placid Games emblem encircled by the raised words of the Olympic oath in four concentric circles on the reverse. Also accompanied by photocopies of three newspaper articles about DeForrest Jackson's participation in the Lake Placid 1980 torch relay. After being lit in Olympia on January 30, the Olympic flame traveled by air to Athens and then to Langley, Virginia, in the United States. The American leg of the relay was 1,600 km and designed to retrace the American Revolution Bicentennial Trail. Only 52 torchbearers participated—including one from every state, plus Washington, D.C. and Lake Placid—picked from a pool of over 6,000 applicants. Of his election as torchbearer, Jackson reflected: 'Dealing with being selected has made me different. It forces one to ask what does one's life represent that is of value to be chosen for such an honor. The first reaction is to be very modest. It's hard to accept being the symbol of the kind of person you aspire to be. The process gives you a new sense of integrity and a sense of being whole.' Each torchbearer, DeForrest Jackson included, carried the flame many times during the course of the national relay. The Olympic cauldron was kindled at Lake Placid on February 8th. A mere 132 torches were manufactured for the Lake Placid Winter Olympics, one of the smallest production runs for any Olympic torch. They are therefore extremely rare and incredibly highly sought after; additionally, this is the first example identified to a specific runner that we have encountered.

Estim. 35 000 - 40 000 USD

Lot 3019 - Albertville 1992 Winter Olympics Torch - Exceedingly rare official 1992 Albertville Winter Olympics torch, consisting of a bulbous steel alloy body, measuring 16.5″ long and 3″ at its widest point, designed by Philippe Starck and familiarly known as 'La Corne,' or 'The Horn.' The sleek, modernist design resembles a bull's horn or flame when turned upside down, and is engraved at the top with golden lettering, "XVIes Jeux Olympiques d'Hiver 1992," followed by a small emblem of the five Olympic rings and serial number, "105:130." Complete with its burner, lacking its shroud. The torch exhibits some minor wear, and a few trivial marks. One day after the Olympic flame was lit in Olympia, Greece, on December 13, 1991, it was taken from Athens to Paris via supersonic Concorde. The relay route aimed to cover as much of France as possible by passing through all regional capitals, and the 57 days of the French leg echoed the 57 events of the Albertville Games. Carried by 5,500 torchbearers, the flame passed down the iconic Champs-Elysees and made a stop at IOC founder Pierre de Coubertin's childhood home during its 5,700 km trek through the nation. Unlike many relays where each torchbearer carries their own torch, the Albertville torches were passed from bearer to bearer and thus manufactured in extremely limited quantities. Albertville is easily the rarest and most sought-after torch of the last thirty years, and examples are seldom offered on an international stage.

Estim. 50 000 - 60 000 USD

Lot 3021 - Lillehammer 1994 Winter Olympics Torch - Magnificent official Lillehammer 1994 Winter Olympics torch, constructed of wood, iron, and copper, measuring an impressive 60″ in length, designed by André Steenbuch Marandon and Paal Christian Kahrs, and manufactured by Paal J. Kahrs Arkitekter AS. Resembling that of a sheath knife, the torch is highlighted by its long birchwood handle that symbolizes Norwegian tradition, with the upper section consisting of a polished aluminum blade that conversely reflects the nation’s industrial modernity and technology. The base of the burner is engraved with the logo of the XVII Olympic Winter Games, and the upper and lower sections of the inner copper plate feature several event pictograms. To contrast its martial appearance, the torch’s supple elongated shape and considerable length were chosen with the view of forming a harmonious extension between the torch and its bearer—its creators bestowed it with the poetic name ‘Noble.’ The bottom of the handle is marked "125." Exhibiting general wear from use, this is a superb example of a most desirable torch. The flame of the XVIIth Olympic Winter Games was lit in Olympia, Greece, on January 16, 1994, and, with the use of 350 torches and 6,916 torchbearers, traveled 18,000 kilometers (11,000 miles) over the course of 27 days to the Lysgårdsbakkene Ski Jumping Arena in Lillehammer, Norway. It was the sixth Winter torch relay to have more than one route, which included a visit to the Arctic Circle and the premiere instance of a torch being passed between two parachutists. Before Prince Haakon lit the cauldron at the opening ceremony, Stein Gruben astounded spectators in spectacular and fiery fashion when he launched from the ski jump with the torch in hand. Nearly the height of a human being, this massive, highly-sought Olympic artifact holds the unique distinction of being the longest and thinnest torch in Olympic history.

Estim. 35 000 - 40 000 USD

Lot 3023 - Wilbert 'Skeeter' McClure's Atlanta 1996 Summer Olympics Torch and 1960 Rome Participant Pin—Including Scrapbooks, Photos, AAU Boxing, and Awards - Archive deriving from the personal collection of Olympian boxer Wilbert ‘Skeeter’ McClure (1938-2020), who won a gold medal in the light middleweight division at the Rome 1960 Summer Olympics. The archive, which contains ephemera and personal effects like scrapbooks, awards, correspondence, and souvenirs dating to his time as an AAU and Olympic champion, is highlighted by an official 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics torch that McClure used during the torch relay of the Centennial Olympic Games. Designed by Peter Mastrogiannis, the torch is constructed of gold-plated brass, aluminum, and Georgian pecan hardwood, and measures 31.75″ in length and 2.5″ at its widest point. The base of the handle bears a label numbered “139” and annotated “McClure, Boston.” The body bears some light scuffs and marks and the top bears evidence of onetime exposure to the Olympic flame. On June 15, 1996, the Olympic torch passed through Boston, Massachusetts, tracing the familiar Boston Marathon route as part of the flame's 84-day, 15,000-mile journey to the Games in Atlanta. McClure was one of some 75 torchbearers—Olympians, handicapped athletes and marathon veterans, and community heroes—who carried the flame along the marathon route from Hopkinton to Boston. Other notable artifacts include: A participation pin from the Rome 1960 Summer Olympics. Made by Bertoni of Milan, the gold-tone pin features the Olympic rings against an Olympic torch marked “1960.” Complete with its original paper backing issued as “50464” and its white vinyl presentation pouch made by Bertoni, which bears an affixed label and light overall wear. These pins were issued retroactively to Olympians in the 1980s. Accompanied by a second edition of the souvenir book Olympiad 1960. Two “Olympic Boxing” schedules for the American boxing trials held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco on May 18 and 19, 1960, displaying the match-ups by weight class for the first and second days; of particular interest, in addition to listing McClure in the 156-pound division, is the mention of eventual gold medal winners “Cassius Clay,” aka Muhammad Ali, and Eddie Crook, Jr. for their respective 156 and 178-pound class. A press release from the University of Wisconsin Sports News Service for April 28, 1959, listing the schedule of boxing matches for the Pan American Amateur Boxing Trials, which lists McClure in the 156-pound division and Cassius Clay in the 178-pound weight class. A stapled program packet for the boxing schedule of the Rome Olympics held at Palazzo dello Sport on September 1, 1960, which lists Clay as a winner in the quarterfinals against Gennady Shatkov. Lot of three vintage glossy 3.25 x 3.25 candid photos of McClure either boxing or training, and a vintage glossy 3.5 x 5.5 postcard photo of McClure at the Frankfurt Airport after winning gold at the Olympics. The reverse of each photo is signed by McClure, who adds notes to the candid photos and a letter to his parents to the postcard; the reverse of the training photo reads: “My coach, Buddy Carr, showing me some of my mistakes and working hard to get me ready for the Olympics.” Six letters, cards, and Western Union telegrams sent to McClure in the mid and late 1950s, the highlight of which is a telegram from his manager on April 10, 1956, which reads; “It isn’t the man in the fight, it’s the fight in the man, go get it.” Group of five vintage scrapbooks compiled by McClure between 1952 and 1960, containing an assortment of newspaper and magazine clippings documenting his rise from an up-and-coming amateur fighter to a gold medal-winning Olympic champion. Eight boxing-related pins, including two Golden Gloves pins, two USA Boxing pins, an AAU USA pin, a Toledo pin, a Colorado Amateur Sports Association pin, and a Team USA Olympic pin. Several boxing awards presented to McClure, such as a 1961 citation from the “Northern Province of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity,” two Olympic Brother Awards, an achievement award from La Belle Fashion, and more. Sundry AAU-related items like a judging sheet for a bout between McClure and Huery Reed, a list of matches for “A.A.U Championship Bouts” on March 17, 1956, an official’s pass for the United States National Championships held at the Boston Garden from April 9-11, 1956, an official AAU Boxing Rules booklet from 1961, picturing McClure on the cover, and a pamphlet for fights at the Akron Armory on April 21, 1964. In overall very good to fine condition.

Estim. 3 000 - 4 000 USD

Lot 3025 - Nagano 1998 Winter Olympics Torch - Official 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics torch, comprised of aluminum and cotton, measuring 21.5″ in length and 4.75″ at its widest point. Manufactured by the Katsura Co., and designed by the Nagano Olympic Games Organizing Committee, the torch was inspired by pine branch torches called taimatsu that were used in the past in Japan. The hexagonal shape of the body represents snow crystals, with the silver color chosen to resemble a wintry landscape; when turned upside-down, the torch bears the resemblance of a Bonsho bell found in Buddhist temples. The six silver-colored vertical bands are adorned with raised pictograms of fifteen sporting events, as well as the Nagano Games logo and text in both English and French, “The XVIII Olympic Winter Games, Nagano 1998.” The five red rings mounted to the top bear gold-colored Olympic rings, and the yellow rope wrapped to the lower handle is a reference to a traditional element of Japanese design. Light wear to the upper tip edges. The Olympic flame arrived in Tokyo on December 23, 1997, and was soon split into three flames at a ceremony in the Yoyogi Athletic Park on January 4, 1998. They were taken by plane to three destinations—the Eastern Japan route (Hokkaido), the Pacific Ocean route (Kagoshima), and the Sea of Japan route (Okinawa)—and, upon entering Nagano Prefecture from the north, south, and east, the flames were reunited in Central Square on February 6th. The relay lasted a total of 51 days, traveled over 3,400 km, and featured over 6,900 torchbearers. The Games themselves were highly successful and witnessed the introduction of women's ice hockey, curling, and snowboarding. Additionally, National Hockey League players were allowed to participate in the men's ice hockey event. A scarce and brilliant Olympic torch that gracefully blends Japanese tradition with a modern touch.

Estim. 6 000 - 8 000 USD

Lot 3032 - Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics Torch - From the Collection of IOC Member James Worrall - Official Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics torch that was presented to Canadian Olympic administrator James Worrall. Constructed of stainless steel, aluminum, and sheet molding, the torch measures 37″ in length and 3″ at its widest point. Manufactured by Bombardier, the torch features a shape and contours that represent the lines made by snow and ice sports, and it’s engraved with the motto "With Glowing Hearts / Des plus brilliants exploits," with the Canadian maple leaf 'cut-out' on the opposing side. The Vancouver Games logos are present on either white panel, the upper tips of which show slight separation; the body bears a few light scuffs. Complete with its original torch relay carrying bag. The torch was lit in Olympia on October 22, 2009, and from October 30, 2009, until February 12, 2010, the Olympic Flame was carried by over 12,000 runners for over 100 days over a course of 45,000 km of Canadian soil—the longest national relay ever held. After competing in hurdles for Canada in the Berlin 1936 Summer Olympics, Worrall put forth a lifetime of effort in favor of the Canadian Olympic cause. From 1964 to 1968, Worrall was the president of the Canadian Olympic Committee, and from 1967 to 1989 he was a member of the International Olympic Committee. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the organizing committees for the Montreal 1976 Summer Olympics and the Calgary 1988 Winter Olympics and was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 1987.

Estim. 1 500 - 2 000 USD

Lot 3033 - London 2012 Summer Olympics Safety Lamp - Very desirable safety lamp from the London 2012 Summer Olympics, 10″ in height and 3.5″ in diameter, manufactured by the Protector Lamp and Lighting Co., of Eccles, Manchester, which has produced Olympic lanterns for the last 30 years. The safety lamp consists of a lower globe and brass frame, which features plates to front and back; the front features the London Games emblem with engraved text, “Olympic Torch Relay,” and the back bears the maker plate, which identifies the lamp as “Type 6, M & Q, Safety Lamps, Approval No. 8/28.” The globe and frame house the interior lamp chimney and burner, with base marked “C, 77/"; the frame exhibits some minor dings and scuffs. The design is a modified miner’s lamp, which enables the flame to be safely transported by aircraft. The Olympic flame was lit in Olympia on May 10, 2012, and embarked on an eight-day journey across Greece and Crete before flying over to London. Commencing in Land’s End in Cornwall on May 19, the UK portion of the relay was designed so that 95 percent of the population of the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man, Jersey, and Guernsey would be a maximum of one hour from the torch route. After seventy days and 15,775 total km, the massive relay touched down in London’s Olympic Stadium on July 27. London became the first city to host the modern Olympic Games three times—having previously hosted in 1908 and 1948. The spectacular event featured more than 10,000 athletes from 204 nations, with new world records set in archery, swimming, and weightlifting. The Summer Games were also remembered for the inventive opening ceremony overseen by Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle.

Estim. 6 000 - 8 000 USD

Lot 3034 - London 2012 Summer Olympics Torch - Beautiful unused official 2012 London Olympics torch, comprised of metal and aluminum, measuring 31.5″ in length and 4.25″ at its widest point, designed by Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby, and manufactured in collaboration by Tecosim, LPG Gas, Bullfinch and Premier Sheet Metal. The gold-colored torch body consists of two envelopes of aluminum alloy perforated with 8,000 circles, a number which matches with both the amount of torchbearers and the United Kingdom relay miles, and features a golden metal logo of the Games near the top. The triangular shape refers to the multiples of three found in the Olympic movement’s values of excellence, friendship, and respect, the Olympic motto of ‘Citius, Altius, Fortius,’ and London’s hosting of the Games for the third time. The Olympic flame was lit in Olympia on May 10, 2012, and embarked on an eight-day journey across Greece and Crete before flying over to London. Commencing in Land’s End in Cornwall on May 19, the UK portion of the relay was designed so that 95 percent of the population of the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man, Jersey, and Guernsey would be a maximum of one hour from the torch route. After seventy days and 15,775 total km, the massive relay touched down in London’s Olympic Stadium on July 27. A truly regal and gorgeous example of an Olympic torch, and a work of art that earned the Design of the Year Award at London’s Design Museum.

Estim. 3 000 - 3 500 USD

Lot 3037 - PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics Torch - Official 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics torch, constructed of a white metal exterior shell with a gold-colored metal interior, measuring 27.5″ in length and 3.25″ at its widest point, designed and manufactured by Young-se Kim, Inno Design / Groupe Hanhwa. At the top, the exterior shell is divided into five vertical branches to form a pentagonal shape, representing the sporting passion and spirit that unites the five Olympic continents (Africa, Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Australia). A colorful raised PyeongChang 2018 emblem decorates the body of the torch, and the handle is printed with golden stars. The white and gold colors used in the design represent the snow and ice of the Winter Games, as well as the Olympic flame, and correspond with the color scheme of the PyeongChang relay. The 700-millimeter length of the torch represents the altitude of PyeongChang, which lies 700 meters above sea level. The torch is specially designed so that the flame can burn continuously despite inclement weather: it generates an air tunnel that sends more oxygen to the flame, and a pentagonal hole at the bottom of the torch allows water to drain. Complete with its velvet drawstring bag and attractive carrying tube. The flame lighting ceremony for the 2018 Games was held in Olympia, Greece, on October 24, 2017. Following an eight-day and 2,100-kilometer journey around Greece, the flame arrived on Korean soil in Incheon on November 1st, to commence the 101-day relay toward PyeongChang Olympic Stadium, where the Olympic cauldron was lit on February 9, 2018. The relay aimed to highlight the country’s leading technologies, traditional culture, and most spectacular sites and featured about 7,500 torchbearers in total. A truly stunning Olympic torch that features a harmonious union of traditional and modern aesthetics.

Estim. 1 500 - 2 000 USD

Lot 3038 - Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics Torch - Official Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics torch, constructed of recycled aluminum from temporary housing used after the Fukushima, Japan, disaster in 2011. Designed by Tokujin Yoshioka and inspired by Japanese cherry blossoms, the torch measures 28″ long and 4.5″ at its widest point. Finished in a 'sakura' rose-gold color, the torch has a fluted design featuring five petal-shaped columns around the tip, with the "Tokyo 2020" wreath emblem and Olympic rings on the front. The five separate flames from the ‘flower petals’ come together as one at the center of the torch to give off a brilliant light known as the ‘Path of Hope.’ The torch is missing its bottom cap. Includes its original storage cylinder. The Olympic flame was lit in a traditional ceremony in Olympia, Greece, on March 12, 2020, and the relay continued for one day, traveling through Amaliada, Pyrgos, Kyparissia, and Kalamata, before arriving in Sparta. On March 13th, the Hellenic Olympic Committee announced that the remainder of the relay would be canceled to avoid attracting large crowds amidst the coronavirus contagion. The handover ceremony took place at Panathenaic Stadium in Athens on March 19th, and the flame was subsequently flown to Japan, where it remained lit for a year in anticipation of the postponed Games. The relay resumed in Japan in March 2021, and was completed with the opening ceremony on July 23, 2021. An appealing torch representing the 'flame of recovery' and the resilience of the Olympic spirit.

Estim. 5 000 - 6 000 USD

Lot 3039 - Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics Torch and Display Base - Official 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics torch, constructed of a resin-coated carbon fiber composite, measuring 33" in length and 4" at its widest point. Manufactured by Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Company and designed by Li Jianye and his team, the torch was inspired by the natural flowing beauty of plants and flowers, a theme that meshed with Beijing’s green approach to the torch’s materials and combustion fuel—carbon fiber composite, a new material made of petroleum products, and hydrogen gas, a special fuel that proved both smoke-free and environmental-friendly. The flora-like spiral construction resulted in a floating ribbon look, and its beautiful replication of movement led to its being given the name ‘Flying’ [Fei Yang]. The torch utilizes an open design with a stunning red and silver color scheme, a metaphor for ice and fire, meant to symbolize how the torch will bring 'light and warmth to this world of ice and snow’—this color combination, and even the torch’s design, relates to its 2008 predecessor and ceremonial cauldron. ‘Flying’ is exceptionally light yet durable, having been created with high-tech 3D knitting technology to form a body seven to nine times harder than steel. The upper portion of the body bears the Beijing 2022 emblem, the lower portion features 1,268 laser-engraved convex clouds and low-relief snowflake patterns, and the torch’s centralized swirling red line represents the winding Great Wall, the Olympic ski slopes, and ‘humanity's relentless quest for light, peace, and excellence.’ The upper right of the torch bears a small area of scuffing. Includes the original presentation case, which bears noticeable wear to corners and top end, its commemorative certificate, and its beautifully made display base that includes its shipping box and certificate of authenticity, which are both numbered “1790.” The flame for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics was lit at the site of the Ancient Olympia in Greece on October 18, 2021, and was passed to the Beijing 2022 Organizing Committee the following day before it departed for the Chinese mainland. Due to the COVID pandemic and the measures put in place to meet the prevention and control requirements, it was decided to reduce the length and duration of the traditional relay route, as well as the number of relay runners, which topped off at around 1,200. Shortened to only three days, the Olympic torch relay resumed on February 2nd, when it began its journey through the three Olympic zones, the city of Zhangjiakou and the main sights of Beijing, which became the first city to host both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games. The relay concluded on the 4th in Beijing National Stadium at the end of the opening ceremony. A fusion of artistry and high technology, this stunningly beautiful Olympic torch evokes Beijing’s ambitious plan for a safe and sustainable Winter Olympiad.

Estim. 5 000 - 7 000 USD

Lot 3040 - Paris 2024 Summer Olympics Torch and Torchbearer's Uniform - Incredibly rare official Paris 2024 Summer Olympics torch—the first to be offered at auction—constructed of recycled steel, designed by Mathieu Lehanneur and manufactured by ArcelorMittal, featuring a perfectly symmetrical, flowing design that draws inspiration from three themes of Paris 2024: equality, water, and peacefulness. The torch measures 27.5″ long and 4″ at its widest point: the upper half sports a matte finish on a plain surface, with the Paris 2024 insignia and five Olympic rings below; the lower half features a reflective finish on a rippled surface, inspired by the serenity of the water on the majestic River Seine. In total, only 2,000 torches were produced by ArcelorMittal, five times less than what was used at other recent Games. The torch is accompanied by an original Paris 2024 Summer Olympics torchbearer uniform, size XL, comprising a long-sleeve runner's jersey, with "Relais de La Flamme Olympique, Paris 2024" emblem on the chest and large 2024 logo across the shoulders, and white athletic pants with the 2024 relay emblem on the upper thigh. The Olympic flame was lit in a traditional ceremony in Olympia, Greece, on April 16, 2024, and carried through Greece for more than 3,100 miles to Athens, where it boarded the Belem—a three-masted sailing ship—to cross the Mediterranean Sea to Marseille, where it embarked on its epic journey across France. The relay route takes the Olympic flame through some of France's most iconic places and architectural masterpieces, such as the Lascaux caves, the Alésia archaeological site, the medieval city of Carcassonne, the Palace of Versailles, and many other famous sites. The Olympic cauldron will be lit on July 26, 2024, at the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, marking the end of the 68-day Olympic torch relay.

Estim. 35 000 - 50 000 USD

Lot 3047 - St. Louis 1904 Olympics Gold Winner's Medal for Rope Climbing - Presented to George Eyser, an American Gymnast with One Leg - Extraordinarily rare gold winner’s medal from the St. Louis 1904 Olympics, issued by the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) to American gymnast George Eyser for placing first in the rope climbing competition. Solid gold, 31 gm, 44 mm, by Dieges & Clust, New York. The front of the medal depicts the goddess Fortuna on her Rota Fortunae [Wheel of Fortune] and holding a crown of laurels, encircled with raised text: “Amateur Athletic Union of the United States, MDCCCLXXXVIII”; the reverse is engraved with the name of the event, “Rope Climbing,” which is surrounded by sports equipment and the winged foot of Mercury, with text to the upper portion: “Champion.” The reverse also bears the maker’s mark and identifies the medal as “Solid Gold.” The medal bears trivial scuffs. Includes its original red-white-and-blue ribbon, which is in two pieces, the upper section retaining its golden badge with embossed text: “1904, Universal Exposition, Olympic Games, St. Louis.” Both ribbon sections bear toning and small tears. Gold, silver, and bronze medal AAU variants were inadvertently presented as official first-place prizes to an unknown number of podium finishers at the 1904 St. Louis Games, a rare distinction that, coupled with the medal’s recipient and its unusual event, isolates this award into a class all its own. One of the more remarkable tales of Olympic lore relates to the recipient of this gold medal, American gymnast George Eyser, who secured six medals at the 1904 St. Louis Olympics...in one day...with just one leg. The son of German immigrants who moved to America in 1884, Eyser lost most of his left leg after being run over by a train in a childhood accident. Undeterred, Eyser was fitted with a wooden prosthetic and joined the Concordia Turnverein [Turner] club in the southern suburbs of St. Louis. It was with Concordia that Eyser competed in the 1904 Games; during this period, the gymnastics competition was divided among club teams, not nations. The 1904 games featured a muddled program of events spread out over several months, and the gymnastics competition was no different. The gymnastic events consisted of two sets, held in two seasons: the International Turners' Championship on July 1 and 2, and the Olympic Gymnastics Championships on October 28th. Although Eyser faired poorly during the July competition, he was more than prepared for the October contests. In a single day, Eyser won three gold medals in the parallel bars, the long-horse vault, and the 25-foot rope climbing, the gold medal for which is offered here. He won three more medals in combined (silver), the horizontal bar (bronze), and the pommel horse (silver), capping off a historically successful day and one of the Olympics’ most inspirational stories. Prior to 2008, Eyser was the only person with an artificial leg to have competed at the Olympic Games.

Estim. 100 000 - 125 000 USD

Lot 3051 - London 1908 Olympics Bronze Winner's Medal for Shooting - Rare winner's medal issued for shooting at the London 1908 Olympics. Bronze, 33.5 mm, 19 gm, designed by Bertram Mackennel; manufactured by Vaughton & Sons, England. The front, inscribed, "Olympic Games, London 1908," features a victorious athlete being crowned with a laurel wreath by two seated females; the reverse depicts St. George, the patron saint of England, slaying a dragon as a goddess looks on. The rim is engraved with the name of the event, "Third Prize, Clay Birds Teams." Includes the original presentation case. This medal was awarded to a member of the British men’s shooting team, which placed third in the men's team trap event on July 11, 1908, finishing with a total of 372 points behind second and first-place winners Canada (405) and another team from Great Britain (407); each nation could enter up to two teams of six shooters. The Great Britain team members were George Skinner, William Morris, Henry Creasey, Bob Hutton, George Whitaker, and John Butt, the latter two winning silver medals in team clay pigeons at the Stockholm 1912 Olympics. Great Britain dominated the Games with a total of 146 medals, far eclipsing second and third-place nations the United States (47) and Sweden (25); Great Britain's top finish in the Olympic medal table marks the only instance the country has done so in its history. An exceptionally scarce winner's medal commemorating Great Britain's triumphant first outing as an Olympic host city.

Estim. 5 000 - 7 000 USD

Lot 3057 - Antwerp 1920 Olympics Gold Winner's Medal - Winner's medal issued to British sprinter Guy Butler at the Antwerp 1920 Olympics. Gilt silver, 60 mm, 88 gm, by Josue Dupon. The front shows a victorious athlete holding a laurel wreath and palm branch, with a statue of Renommee in the background, inscribed "VII Olympiade"; the reverse depicts the Brabo fountain above the Antwerp shield, with the Cathedral of Our Lady and city looming in the background, inscribed above, "Anvers MCMXX." Bottom edge is stamped “A” for Argent and is engraved with the name of the event, the recipient, his teammates, and their placing: “U.K., 1st, G. M. B. Butler & (J. C. A. Davis, R. A. Lindsay, C. Griffiths), 1600 Meters Relay.” Accompanied by a silver-tone “Prize Medal” from Oxford & Cambridge Athletic Sports, 104 gm, 61 mm, with the reverse engraved: “1920, G. M. Butler, ¼ Mile, 49 ⅗.” Sprinter Guy Butler (1899-1981) remains one of the most awarded runners in the long history of British Olympians. Butler’s four Olympic medals — this offered gold in the 4 x 400, an Antwerp silver in the 400-meter, and two bronzes in the same events in Paris four years later — tie him with athletes Sebastian Coe, Christine Ohuruogu, and Mo Farah for the most athletic medals in British Olympic history. Hosting the Olympics in 1920 was a challenging endeavor so close to the end of the war. Because of financing problems for the Games, many shortcuts had to be taken; one of them was reducing the amount of gold plating on the first-place winner’s medals. Unfortunately, most of the gilding wore off almost immediately and, as is often the case, many of the medals appear almost silver. Faint traces of gilding can still be discerned in the medal’s low relief areas. A total of 29 nations attended the VII Olympiad in Antwerp, Belgium, with Hungary, Germany, Austria, Bulgaria, and the Ottoman Empire all banned from competing due to their involvement in World War I and the cancelation of the 1916 Games. Despite such political unrest, the return of the Games debuted a trinity of enduring Olympic traditions—the voicing of the Olympic Oath, the symbolic release of doves, and the initial flying of the Olympic flag. An exceptional first place medal of the utmost historical interest and rarity.

Estim. 10 000 - 15 000 USD

Lot 3058 - Antwerp 1920 Summer Olympics Silver Winner's Medal - Winner's medal issued to British sprinter Guy Butler at the Antwerp 1920 Olympics. Silver, 60 mm, 87 gm, by Josue Dupon. The front shows a victorious athlete holding a laurel wreath and palm branch, with a statue of Renommee in the background, inscribed "VII Olympiade"; the reverse depicts the Brabo fountain above the Antwerp shield, with the Cathedral of Our Lady and city looming in the background, inscribed above, "Anvers MCMXX." Bottom edge is stamped “A” for Argent and is engraved with the name of the event, the recipient, and his placing: “400 Meters, G. M. B. Butler, 2nd.” Accompanied by two sterling silver winner’s shield plaquettes issued to Butler at a Cambridge University Athletic Club track-and-field event at Trinity College in 1919, which identify Butler as the winner of the “¼ Race” and the “100 Yds Race.” Sprinter Guy Butler (1899-1981) remains one of the most awarded runners in the long history of British Olympians. Butler’s four Olympic medals — a gold in the 4 x 400 at Antwerp, this offered silver in the 400-meter, and two bronzes in the same events in Paris four years later — tie him with athletes Sebastian Coe, Christine Ohuruogu, and Mo Farah for the most athletic medals in British Olympic history. A total of 29 nations attended the VII Olympiad in Antwerp, Belgium, with Hungary, Germany, Austria, Bulgaria, and the Ottoman Empire all banned from competing due to their involvement in World War I and the cancelation of the 1916 Games. Despite such political unrest, the return of the Games debuted a trinity of enduring Olympic traditions—the voicing of the Olympic Oath, the symbolic release of doves, and the initial flying of the Olympic flag. An exceptional first place medal of the utmost historical interest and rarity.

Estim. 10 000 - 15 000 USD

Lot 3060 - Paris 1924 Summer Olympics Gold Winner's Medal for Boxing Great Jackie Fields - Rare winner's medal issued to American featherweight boxer Jackie Fields at the Paris 1924 Summer Olympics. Gilt silver, 55 mm, 78 gm, by Andre Rivaud, Paris. The front depicts a triumphant athlete extending his hand to a fallen opponent, with the designer's name "A. Rivaud" etched below his foot, and the Olympic rings at the bottom; the reverse, inscribed, "VIIIeme Olympiade, Paris 1924," depicts a harp and various pieces of sporting equipment. Stamped "Argent" on the edge. The winner's medals for this Olympics were the first to incorporate the Olympic rings into the design. Accompanied by myriad newspaper clippings related to the career of Jackie Fields. First-place winner’s medals from the Paris 1924 Olympiad are exceedingly rare, with this stunning example representing just the second that we have ever offered. Further augmenting its desirability is the medal’s recipient, Jackie Fields, one of the greatest welterweight boxers of all time. Born Jacob Finkelstein, Fields began his training at an early age, studying with legendary trainers Jack Blackburn and George Blake and sparring with future champs like Fidel LaBarba. He excelled as an amateur fighter, winning over 50 fights, and joined the American national team for the 1924 Paris Olympics. Fields went 5 and 0 against his international opponents and secured a gold medal in the featherweight division, becoming the youngest boxer to ever receive such an honor. The Olympic prize ignited the young boxer, who returned to the States to begin his career as a professional. Fields retired at the age of 25 with a record of 72 wins and nine losses, which included NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring welterweight titles. Fields was elected to the United Savings-Helms Hall of Boxing Fame in 1972, the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 1979, the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 1987, and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2004.

Estim. 20 000 - 25 000 USD

Lot 3062 - Amsterdam 1928 Summer Olympics Gold Winner's Medal - Winner’s medal issued for the Amsterdam 1928 Summer Olympics. Gilt silver, 55 mm, 68 gm, by Giuseppe Cassioli; manufactured by the Dutch State Mint of Utrecht, Netherlands. The front, inscribed, “IXe Olympiade, Amsterdam, 1928,” features a ‘Seated Victory’ with the Colosseum in the background; the reverse portrays a winner carried by jubilant athletes. The edge bears a stamped hallmark. The front bears slight fading to gilt, and a slight ding to the upper edge. Accompanied by two sterling silver presentation cups, 6″ and 2.5″ in height, with engraved inscriptions dated to 1926 and 1927; the taller cup ostensibly derives from the 1927 Swedish Athletics Championships, which occurred on July 31, 1927. There were 254 of these gold medals produced, of which 110 were awarded to first-place winners in the 109 sporting events, an unequal number given that a first-place tie in the lightweight category of weightlifting resulted in two gold medals. Additionally, nine gold medals were also awarded to first-place winners of the 13 events of the art competitions, again an unequal number due to some events and categories that did not present medals. This beautiful top prize medal represents an Olympiad noted for its legendary performances and the start of several enduring Olympic traditions—the Amsterdam Games were the first to bear the name ‘Summer Olympic Games’ and the very first to feature a fixed schedule of 16 days; Germany returned to competition after a 16-year ban; Tarzan actor Johnny Weissmuller won two gold medals in swimming; Finnish runner Paavo Nurmi won his ninth, and final, gold medal; and Mikio Oda of Japan became the first gold medalist from an Asian country after he won the triple jump event.

Estim. 10 000 - 15 000 USD

Lot 3068 - Berlin 1936 Summer Olympics Silver Winner's Medal, with Other Medals and Trophies from the Collection of Equestrian Johan Jacob Greter - Extraordinary archive of medals, trophies, and souvenirs from the collection of Dutch equestrian Johan Jacob Greter, highlighted by the silver medal that he won at the Berlin 1936 Olympics, plus his participation medal and participant's badge from the '36 Games. After performing in the Olympics in Nazi Germany, Greter would go on to distinguish himself in battle during World War II: he fought to defend his homeland against German aggression at the Grebbeberg on May 12, 1940, and was taken prisoner in 1942. He escaped by jumping off the train and reached England, where he joined the RAF. He received the Dutch Bronze Cross, awarded for acts of courage and leadership in the face of the enemy, in 1944 and 1947. The three items from the Berlin 1936 Summer Olympics: - Highly appealing winner’s medal issued for the Berlin 1936 Summer Olympics. Silver, 55 mm, 72 gm, by Giuseppe Cassioli. The front, inscribed, “XI. Olympiade, Berlin, 1936,” features a ‘Seated Victory’ with the Coliseum in the background; the reverse portrays a winner carried by jubilant athletes. Stamped on the edge, "B. H. Mayer, Pforzheim, 990." Greter and his horse Ernica won this silver medal as part of the Dutch show jumping team, after finishing sixth in the individual jumping competition. - Participation medal issued for the Berlin 1936 Summer Olympics. Brown bronze, 70 mm, 114 gm, by Otto Placzek. The front depicts five athletes, representing the five continents, pulling the ropes of the Olympic bell, with raised text, "XI Olympiade, Berlin, 1936"; the reverse bears the Olympic bell embossed with the German eagle gripping the Olympic rings within five concentric circles, and the name of the designer on the outer edge. - Participant's badge issued for the 1936 Berlin Summer Olympics. Bronze, 41 mm x 46 mm, manufactured by Lauer, featuring the Olympic rings over the Brandenburg Gate. The front is engraved "XL Olympiade Berlin 1936, 3330." Missing its ribbon. Other items include: a silver windmill "Landenpris [Country Prize]" trophy from the 1934 "Concours Hippique International [International Horse Show]" held in Amsterdam; four Dutch National Olympic Committee/Dutch Sports Federation (NOC/NSF) 'Olympic Day' medals from 1933, 1934, 1935, and 1936; a 1936 "Concours Hippique International [International Horse Show]" medal with King Leopold of Belgium on the front; a 1936 "Olympische Proef [Olympic Trial]" first-place medal from 1936, engraved with the name of his horse, "Trixie," issued by the Koninklijke Militaire Sportvereniging [Dutch Royal Military Sports Club]; a 1936 "Utrecht" medal plaque from an equestrian contest in the Netherlands; a zinc plaque portraying a rider in medieval armor, dedicated by the Aachen-Laurensberger Racing Club to the riders at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin and at the international equestrian tournament in Bad Aachen; an attractive silver-tone metal laurel wreath sculpture, with each leaf engraved with the name of one of Greter's horses and an associated competition (with one cluster, and one single leaf detached from the wire frame); and a vintage photograph of Greter on a leaping horse, displayed in a leather frame.

Estim. 10 000 - 15 000 USD

Lot 3077 - Stockholm 1956 Summer Olympics Equestrian Events Bronze Winner's Medal for Show Jumping (Team) - Extremely rare winner's medal issued to British equestrian Peter Robeson at the Stockholm 1956 Summer Olympics equestrian events. Bronze, 50 mm, 92 gm, by V. Falireus/John Sjosvard. The front depicts an ancient Greek horse and rider, inscribed with a Swedish legend, "XVI Olympiadens Ryttartavlingar, 1956, Stockholm." The reverse portrays the torch and Olympic rings, with "Jeux Olympiques" above, and the Olympic motto below, "Citius, Altius, Fortius." Stamped on the edge, "Lagerstrom / Mjolby." Includes its rare green leather presentation case, as well as its accompanying third-place winner’s pin. Made by Bertoni of Milan, the bronze-tone pin features the Olympic rings above a banner with the contest year. Complete with its original paper backing marked as “8818” and its black vinyl presentation pouch made by Bertoni. These pins were issued retroactively to Olympians in the 1980s. Robeson won a bronze medal in show jumping (team) at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Stockholm, Sweden, and eight years later landed another Olympic bronze medal when he placed first in the individual show jumping at the Tokyo 1964 Summer Games. Due to Australian agricultural quarantine regulations, the equestrian events of Melbourne's XVI Olympiad were held five months earlier in Stockholm, Sweden, making the 1956 Summer Games the second Olympics not to be held entirely in one country; the 1920 Olympics, which Antwerp, Belgium co-hosted with Amsterdam and Ostend, were the first. Given the low number of participants in the equestrian events—158 riders competed in six events—any Stockholm medals remain rare and highly sought-after. In total, only twelve of these Stockholm bronze winner's medals were awarded, making it an exceptionally rare Olympic medal.

Estim. 25 000 - 30 000 USD

Lot 3079 - Melbourne 1956 Summer Olympics Silver Winner's Medal and Participation Medal for Football - Extremely desirable winner's medal issued for the Melbourne 1956 Summer Olympics. Silver, 51 mm, 67 gm, by Giuseppe Cassioli; manufactured by K. G. Luke. The front, inscribed, "XVIth Olympiad, Melbourne, 1956," features a 'Seated Victory' with the Colosseum in the background; the reverse portrays a winner with a palm branch being carried by jubilant athletes. Includes the original white plastic case by K. G. Luke/Casecraft, with red "XVIth Olympiad" label on the cover, which exhibits chipping to the front lid panel. This prize medal design had been adopted from the Amsterdam 1928 Summer Games, with the only alteration for 1956 being a change in wording to reflect the year and location. There were 280 of these silver medals produced, with 273 of them being awarded; the consignor notes that the recipient of this example was Croatian soccer star Ivan Šantek, who was a member of the silver medal-winning Yugoslavian national football team. After blowing out the competition in the quarter-finals (9-1 against the USA) and semi-finals (4-1 against India), the Yugoslavia lost 1-0 to the Soviet Union in the championship match. Additionally includes the participation medal issued to Ivan Šantek for his role as part of the Yugoslavian national football team at the Melbourne 1956 Summer Olympics. Bronze, 63 mm, 105 gm, by Andor Meszaros. The front depicts the Olympic motto encircled by pairs of athletes following the march of a flag-bearer; the reverse bears the Melbourne coat of arms and Olympic rings, with raised text along the top, "Olympic Games Melbourne, 1956."

Estim. 10 000 - 15 000 USD

Lot 3081 - Rome 1960 Summer Olympics Silver Winner's Medal for Athletics - Winner's medal issued for an athletics event at the Rome 1960 Summer Olympics. Silver, 68 mm, 110 gm (216 gm with chain), by Giuseppe Cassioli; manufactured by Artistice Fiorentini. The front depicts a victorious athlete being carried by several jubilant athletes; the reverse, inscribed, "Giochi Della XVII Olimpiade Roma MCMLX," features a 'Seated Victory' with the Colosseum in the background. The medal is set in its original cast bronze bezel, engraved at the bottom with the name of the sport in Italian, "Atletica,” and suspends from its beautiful bronze winner’s chain with 20 olive leaf links. Includes its rare original red leather presentation case, 20.25″ x 4.5″ x 1″, designed by Stabilimenti Artistici Fiorentini of Florence, which is slightly warped, features wear to edges, and the inner velvet lining detached but present. The winner's medals issued for the 1960 Rome Olympics were the first designed to be worn around the neck and the first for any Summer Games to feature the name of the specific sport. The consignor notes that this silver medal was won by United Team of Germany athlete Jo (Johannes) Kaiser in the 4 x 400-meter relay race. Kaiser ran the third leg together with teammates Hans-Joachim Reske, Manfred Kinder, and Carl Kaufmann, achieving a time of 3:02.7 min., which was a European record and a close second to the USA Team’s world record gold. For this achievement, Kaiser was also awarded the Silver Laurel Leaf on December 9, 1960, the highest sporting award presented by the Federal Republic of Germany.

Estim. 10 000 - 15 000 USD

Lot 3084 - Tokyo 1964 Summer Olympics Gold Winner's Medal for Fencing - Winner's medal issued to Hungarian fencer Judit Ágoston-Mendelényi at the Tokyo 1964 Summer Olympics. Gilt silver, 63 mm, 100 gm, by Toshikaka Koshiba (based on the classic design of Giuseppe Cassioli); manufactured by the Japanese Mint. The front is inscribed, "XVII Olympiad Tokyo 1964, Fencing," and features a 'Seated Victory' with the Colosseum in the background; the reverse depicts a victorious athlete being carried by several jubilant athletes. The medal is complete with its original ribbon with Olympic colors and its attractive black lacquer box, the lid of which features the emblem of the Games and one golden dot indicating first place; the box’s hinge is broken and there is wear to the inner lining. Includes her gold-plated competitor's badge from the 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympics, 38 mm x 63 mm, 46 gm, which features the rising sun of the Japanese national flag above a green bar with Olympic rings and a blue enamel bar identified as “Competitor.” The badge’s solid purple ribbon extends an additional 76 mm. The badge, presented with its original white leather presentation box, includes an original stickpin for the Hungarian national team from the 1964 Tokyo Games. Other accompaniments include: seven photos of Ágoston-Mendelényi at the Tokyo Games, one of which is signed and another of her wearing her gold medal; a Hungarian national team armband; a purple armband with a vector globe and 1964 in golden thread; a plastic souvenir ‘Tokai Bank’ coin bank from the Tokyo 1964 Summer Olympics; an English-language souvenir of a Japanese fabric booklet scroll, with label reading (transcribed) “Japan’s Four Seasons”; and a black vintage SAS (Scandinavian Airlines) hand fan. The women’s team foil event of the Tokyo 1964 Summer Games was held at Waseda Memorial Hall on October 16 and 17th, with a total of 47 fencers from 10 competing nations. The event made its Olympic debut four years prior at the 1960 Rome Olympics with the Soviet Union emerging victorious over their Hungarian rivals. However, Judit Ágoston-Mendelényi and her four Hungarian teammates enacted their revenge in Tokyo. They secured a gold medal by ousting the Soviet fencers in the finals with a score of 9 to 7, a victory that laid the foundation for the future of Hungarian women’s fencing. To date, the Hungarian fencing team (men and women) remains one of the most celebrated in Olympic history—only Italy (130) and France (123) have won more Olympic fencing medals than Hungary (90).

Estim. 35 000 - 40 000 USD

Lot 3088 - Steve Genter's Collection of Munich 1972 Summer Olympics Gold, Silver, and Bronze Winner's Medals - Historic offering of three winner’s medals that were awarded to legendary American swimmer Steve Genter at the Munich 1972 Summer Olympics, consisting of his gold medal in the 4 x 200-meter freestyle relay, his silver medal in the 200-meter freestyle, and his bronze medal in the 400-meter freestyle. The gold (gilt silver) medal weighs 160 gm (without chain) or 211 gm (with chain), the silver medal weighs 152 gm (without chain) or 203 gm (with chain), and the bronze medal weighs 130 gm (without chain) or 176 gm (with chain); each medal measures 85 mm. The Munich 1972 winner’s medals were designed by Gerhard Marcks and share the same design to both sides: the front is inscribed, “XX. Olympiade Munchen 1972,” and depicts the 'Seated Victory' with the Colosseum in the background; and the reverse portrays the mythological twins Castor and Pollux, the patrons of competitive sport and friendship, with the artist's monogram below. This was the first winner's medal since 1928 to feature a new design on the reverse, replacing the traditional depiction of a victorious athlete carried by a jubilant crowd. The top edge of each medal is engraved “Genter, Steven,” with the name of the event: “Schwimmen 4 x 200 m Freistil Herren” (gold), “Schwimmen 200 m Freistil Herren” (silver), and “Schwimmen 400 m Freistil Herren” (bronze). The medals, which each retain their original chain, bear slight instances of marks or discoloration, most noticeable to the bronze reverse. The winning bidder will be granted a one-on-one phone call with Steve Genter. The Munich massacre. Mark Spitz’s gold medal glory. The controversial ending of the men’s basketball final. These and several other storylines dominated the headlines of the historic 1972 Summer Olympics. It’s perhaps no wonder then that the inspiring tale of American swimmer Steve Genter didn’t receive an outpouring of publicity. At least, not immediately. A 6-foot 4-inch undergraduate from UCLA, Genter entered the Olympics as a podium favorite and as the chief competitor to teammate Mark Spitz. He also entered Munich with a nagging cough, a lingering effect from bronchitis developed during the Olympic trials. A week before his first scheduled event, the 200-meter freestyle, Genter complained of a ‘gushy’ feeling in his chest. Concerned, he visited a Munich hospital. The news was not good: he had a collapsed lung. Doctors inserted a chest tube to release the trapped air, with Genter himself assisting in the process by squeezing rubber inflation balls for five days and nights. Determined to compete, Genter refused any pain medication, fearful that it might contain a controlled substance. By the fifth day, his lung had inflated back to normal and, with the consent of coaches and doctors, Genter was permitted to swim. On August 29th, a day after being released from the hospital, Genter hit the water for the finals of his 200 freestyle event. His plan to build from the first 100 meters was working, he was leading the pack, Spitz was in his wake. Then, at the 135-meter mark, everything changed. Pain pierced through Genter’s chest. His stitches had ruptured. Seconds later he blacked out. But Genter didn’t stop swimming. With no feeling in his extremities, he doggedly pushed forward, finishing second with a miraculous last-ditch effort. Two days later, a recovered Genter split a 1.52.48 on the 4 x 200-meter relay, a blistering time that would have won the gold medal in the 200 freestyle event and set a world record. Genter’s bronze medal is just as impressive, albeit for very different reasons. On September 1st, Genter placed third in the 400-meter freestyle, with 16-year-old teammate Rick DeMont taking gold and Australian Brad Cooper taking silver. However, Genter was later officially declared as the second-place finisher after the IOC stripped DeMont of his gold medal; Team USA doctors errantly allowed DeMont to use his asthma medication (Marax) that contained the banned substance ephedrine. When the IOC gave Genter the ultimatum of returning his bronze and accepting the silver, or facing a lifetime ban from Olympic competition, Genter chose the latter in support of his American friend and teammate. An exemplary complete winner’s medal set that embodies the Olympic odyssey of Steve Genter, whose elite displays of athleticism, courage, and sportsmanship define precisely what it means to be a champion. Genter’s incredible Olympic story was showcased in ‘Conviction,’ the premiere episode of John MacLeod’s award-winning documentary series Beyond Bronze, Silver and Gold.

Estim. 50 000 - 75 000 USD
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