This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/21/2017
Presented here is an official 1988 Calgary Winter Olympic Games torch, one of the rarest, most unique and beautifully-designed torches in the hobby. The upper flame section at the top and knob at the bottom are made of aluminum, and the long wooden handle made of fine maple is exquisitely hand-carved with pictograms of ten Winter Olympic sports. Overall it measures 23.5 inches in length and weighs 38 ounces (2.4 pounds). The top is inscribed in raised lettering “XV Olympic Winter Games Calgary Alberta Canada 1988” (plus the same in French) with the official Calgary Olympic logo. The bottom is engraved with the Olympic motto, “Citius Altius Fortius.” The torch was designed to resemble the Calgary Tower, a popular landmark in the Alberta city.
The torch relay was a grandiose event, with around 6,200 torchbearers drawn from an application pool of around 6.6 million. After the lighting ceremony in Olympia, the flame was flown to Newfoundland and would travel total of 18,000 km through Canada over 88 days. The actual running portion of the relay remains one of the longest in history. Unlike other relays before and after, the torches used in the Calgary relay were shared among the vast majority of runners.
This example is unused and presents in outstanding condition. The upper flame section has everything but the original wicks. It is estimated that only 150 were ever produced, making it one of the scarcest and most coveted of all torches. Coupled with its intricate craftsmanship and bold use of wood for the handle, this is a must-have torch for Olympic collectors. Also included is the official Calgary torch relay uniform—a red and white windbreaker jacket (in size S/M) and matching red warm-up pants—emblazoned with the 1988 Calgary Games emblem.
This lot has a Reserve Price that has not been met.