1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympic Games Torch with Original Leather Bag

Presented here is an Olympic torch from the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Games. The 84-day, 9,375-mile relay began in New York City on May 8, 1984 and brought the Olympic flame across the U.S. before arriving to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on July 28 where the Olympic Cauldron was lit by 1960 decathlon gold medalist Rafer Johnson. The 1984 Summer Games were boycotted by 14 Eastern Bloc nations, including the Soviet Union and East Germany, in response to the American-led boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow. The 1984 Summer Olympics are widely considered the most financially successful modern Olympics, serving as an example on how to run an Olympic games. As a result of low construction costs due to the use of existing sport infrastructure, coupled with a reliance on private corporate funding, the 1984 Games generated a profit of over $250 million. The hosts won the most gold and overall medals, headlined by USA Track & Field star Carl Lewis who replicated Jesse Owens' incredible feat by winning four gold medals in the same four events as Owens had some 48 years earlier in Berlin.

Measuring 23" inches tall, the aluminum torch has a brass finish with a leather handle. The design goes back to classic lamp styling. The top section features the Olympic motto in Latin "CITIUS ALTIUS FORTIUS" (faster, higher stronger) around the edge along with the five Olympic rings and a detailed engraving of the Los Angeles Coliseum encircling below. A tan leather wrap covers the handle down to a 2" brass fitting at the end stamped with the LA84 Games logo, “1980 LAOOC”, “1983 LAOOC”, and “TURNER IND., INC. IRWINDALE, CA" (manufacturer). A second brass fitting about 2/3 up the handle has an engraving that reads "Games of the XXIIIrd Olympiad Los Angeles 1984." The burner section does not show signs of being lit. The shaft and handle sections are incredibly well-preserved. Overall, this torch presents in near mint condition and comes with its original black leather carrying case as well. One of the finer examples you will find.