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420,000
GBP
0 Bid(s)
1
GBP
300,000 - 400,000 GBP
Live auction
Lot closed
Lot location
London
The exceptionally rare Helsinki 1952 Olympic Games silver bearer's torch one of only 15 made and this example complete with original burner,
designed by Aukusti Tuhka, manufactured by Kultakeskus Oy, Hameenlinna, the bowl in hallmarked silver with raised Olympic Rings and laurel wreath, inscribed XV OLYMPIA HELSINKI, 1952 , further inscribed to rim beneath the bowl HELSINGFORS, HELSINKI, the handle in birch wood, length 59cm., 23 1/2in.
At the Helsinki 1952 Olympic Games only a total of 22 torches were manufactured, 15 with hallmarked silver bowls and 7 in plate with a plainer, simpler design. Compare this to the 8,000 torches produced for the most recent Summer Games in London in 2012 and the all-time record number of 15,000 torch bearers employed for the Sochi 2014 Winter Games.
In the book Tuli Olympiasta [Came To Olympia) by Terttu Mammela, 2012, there is a detailed explanation in the chapter 'After the Olympic Games' on why the silver 1952 Helsinki Olymic Games torch is singularly the rarest bearer's torch in the history of the Olympic Games:
"Of the original 15 silver torches five had been lost during the relay - four in Greece and one in Kokkola, Finland. After the relay the remaining ten torches were cleaned and repaired. Three silver torches were donated to the Olympic Committees of the countries that had hosted the torch relay: Greece, Denmark and Sweden. They were received by their respective high representatives who were present at the Olympic Games Poul Ingholt, President of the Danish NOC; Jean Ketseas, Greek Member of the IOC; and Prince Bertil of Sweden. The Greek and Danish torches are still in possession of the respective National Olympic Committees. The Swedish torch probably changed hands in the 1960s.
The airline company SAS (Scandinavian Airlines System), which had flown the Olympic flame from Greece to Denmark, also received a silver torch. It was handed to the company's Finland manager Lennart Rehnqvist on 30th August 1952, and he passed it onto the traffic and sales director Johannes Nielsen in a ceremony held in Stockholm on 1st September. The company used the torch as a challenge trophy for its employees' national sports club. The first winner of the yearly contest was the Danish club. The torch served in this capacity for about 10 years but was later forgotten. It re-emerged in 1994 and is now a cherished item in possession of SAS.
The Organising Committee had promised a silver torch to seven more recipients, but since only six were left, one more copy was commissioned from the manufacturer in October 1952. By the end of 1952 four museums had received a silver torch: The Sports Museum of Finland, the Helsinki City Museum, the provincial museum in Tornio and the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland. The remaining three silver torches were given in 1955 to the three central sports federations in Finland: The Finnish Gymnastic and Sport Federation (SVUL), the Workers' Sport Federation (TUL) and the Swedish-language sport federation CIF. All seven torches donated to the museums and sports federations are still in possession of the original recipients.
The seven brass torches all survived after the torch relay. They were donated to the six members of the torch relay committee and to Erik von Frenckell, President of the Organising Committee of the Olympic Games. Today the whereabouts of the six brass torches are known. They are all in private ownership.
The five silver torches that were lost during the relay have dispersed into private collections over the decades. Because of their extremely limited number the Helsinki Olympic torches have become most valuable collector items. In the 21st century their auction prices have skyrocketed. In the winter of 2011 one Helsinki silver torch fetched over 340,000 Euros in an auction in Paris."
As a footnote to the auction report in the final paragraph, the silver torch sold in Paris did not have its original burner.
Live
Venue address
Sotheby's
34-35 New Bond Street
London
W1A 2AA
United Kingdom
Sporting Memorabilia
Auction dates
18 May 2015 10:30 BST
Lots: 1 to 604
19 May 2015 10:30 BST
Lots: 605 to 1273
Viewing dates
17 May 2015 12:00 - 17:00 BST
18 May 2015 09:00 - 17:00 BST
19 May 2015 09:00 - 17:00 BST
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Auction currency
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Accepted cards
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STORAGE, COLLECTION AND SHIPPING LOGISTICS
Payments in person can be made in the saleroom on the day of the auction and on receipt of cleared funds, lots can be collected from the saleroom during the auction or immediately after its completion.
Thereafter, all purchase lots will be transferred to Graham Budd Auctions' storage facility in Enfield, north London. Please contact the auctioneer for full details. All collections are strictly by pre-arranged appointment. Alternatively, we can organise packing for postage and shipping on a worldwide basis. Please contact us for a quote. Buyers are reminded that it is their responsibility to comply with UK export regulations and with any local import requirements.
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Four Sessions
Monday 18th May 10.30am. Lots 1-293
Boxing, Cricket, Golf, Motor Sport & Racquet Sports
Monday 18th May 2pm. Lots 294-604
Mixed Sporting Content, Basketball, Lacrosse, Horse Racing, Rowing, Snooker, Athletics,
Olympic Games & Football
Tuesday 19th May 10.30am. Lots 605-935
Football continued
Tuesday 19th May 2pm. Lots 936-1273
Football continued
Buyers Premium: 17.5% + 3% saleroom.com commission
Lots purchased online with the-saleroom.com will attract an additional charge for this service in the sum of 3% of the hammer price plus VAT at the rate imposed
Buyers Premium:
A buyers premium of 17.5% is applicable to all lots in this sale.
The buyers premium is subject to VAT at the standard rate (20%). Lots are normally offered for sale under the auctioneers margin scheme and VAT on the buyers premium is payable to all buyers. Lots subject to VAT will include the symbol †.
These items will be charged at the 20% on both the hammer price and the buyers premium
Artists Resale Rights:
Purchase of lots marked with the † will be subject to payment of the Artist's Resale Rights, at a percentage of the hammer price
Shipping:
On receipt of cleared funds lots can be collected from the Sotheby's saleroom on sale day. Thereafter lots will be transferred to storage in Enfield, north London, where they can be collected in person. Alternatively, we ship worldwide. Please contact the auctioneer for further details.