RR AUCTION OFFERS OLYMPIC MEDALS

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V26 2023 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 26, Number 29, July 16, 2023, Article 18

Boston auction house RR Auctions is offering Olympic medals and other artifacts of the games in its current sale. -Editor

RR Auction, a leading auction house specializing in collectibles and historical artifacts, is announced its highly anticipated Semi-Annual Olympic Sale, featuring nearly 400 exceptional lots. Practically every Olympiad is represented in the auction—from the first Modern Games in 1896 to the recent Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.

This Olympic sale presents a remarkable opportunity for enthusiasts to acquire a diverse assortment of items, including winner's medals, relay torches, pins, badges, and rare ephemera, showcasing the rich history of the Olympic movement. Among the standout highlights are several exceptional pieces that are certain to attract considerable attention.

One such rarity is the super rare Grenoble 1968 Winter Olympics relay torch. This torch holds immense historical significance as one of just 33 ever manufactured by the esteemed Société Technique d'Equipement et de Fournitures Industrielle (STEFI). Crafted from a captivating rose-gold bronze alloy with a red felt-wrapped grip, this torch was instrumental in lighting the Olympic flame during the momentous opening ceremony. This magnificent piece represents an unprecedented chance to acquire one of the rarest and most sought-after Olympic torches in existence (Estimate: $150,000+).

Another extraordinary item is the gold medal from the Los Angeles 1932 Summer Olympics. Crafted in gilt silver and designed by the renowned Giuseppe Cassioli, this winner's medal features an iconic depiction of a 'Seated Victory' against the backdrop of the Coliseum. It stands as a marvelous example of Cassioli's classic design and represents a highly sought-after piece from this historic Olympiad (Estimate: $20,000+).

Also, garnering significant attention is the winner's medal awarded to Cuban boxer Orlando Martinez for his triumph in the bantamweight boxing event at the Munich 1972 Summer Olympics. This gilt silver medal, designed by Gerhard Marcks and manufactured by the Bavarian Mint, showcases a unique reverse design featuring the mythological twins Castor and Pollux. With its original golden chain and engraving indicating the winner's event, Martinez's victory medal is an appealing and captivating piece of Olympic history (Estimate: $10,000+).

One of the standout treasures in this auction is the rare Lake Placid 1980 gold medal awarded to legendary figure skater Alexander Zaitsev. Crafted in gilt silver by Tiffany and Co., this exceptional medal boasts a captivating design featuring a raised hand holding the Olympic torch against a mountain backdrop. With its scarce mintage of only 73 gold medals awarded at the Lake Placid 1980 Winter Olympics, this particular example holds immense desirability and rarity (Estimate: $75,000+).

The auction also features a scarce unawarded winner's medal issued for the Seoul 1988 Summer Olympics. Crafted in gilt silver by the Korea Security Printing and Minting Corporation, this medal showcases a sleek modern design on the reverse, portraying a soaring dove of peace with a laurel branch. Complete with its original ribbon and presentation case, this medal represents a highly sought-after collectible for Olympic enthusiasts (Estimate: $15,000+).

Additionally, the auction offers an array of other noteworthy items, including a winner's medal issued for the Athens 1896 Olympics, a unique IOC 'Chain of Honour' issued for the Berlin 1936 Summer Olympics, and an extraordinary selection of tickets, souvenirs, and other significant Olympic memorabilia.

The RR Auction Olympic Memorabilia sale will conclude on July 20. To explore the full catalog and for further information, please visit www.rrauction.com.