This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/4/2017
Featured here is a scarce Olympic torch from the important 1948 London
Summer Olympics, called the Austerity Games due to economic climate and
post-war rationing at the time. These were the first Summer Games held
after a 12-year hiatus. A record 59 nations were represented by 4,104
athletes (3,714 men and 390 women) in 19 sports. Germany and Japan were
not allowed to attend; the USSR was invited but chose not to
participate. No new venues were built for these Games, and athletes were
housed in existing accommodations instead of an Olympic Village. A
total of 1,720 torches were made for the flame relay, roughly half the
number produced and distributed for the first relay at the 1936 Berlin
Summer Games.
The '48 London torches were designed by Ralph Lavers and made
of aluminum alloy. The bowl is pierced with three sets of
Olympic rings and is inscribed around the lower rim "XIVth OLYMPIAD
1948, OLYMPIA TO LONDON, WITH THANKS TO THE BEARER." They used
stainless steel holders for the magnesium candle to ensure a minimum
burning time of 15 minutes. The torch stands 16 inches (41cm) tall,
with the circular bowl measuring over 5.5" (14cm) in diameter. This torch was presented to us as used in the relay. It is incredibly well-preserved with few, if any, noticeable nicks and scratches. All this is missing is the flame holder. Nonetheless, it stands as one of the more spectacular examples you will find.