Impressive range at RR Auctions (part 1)
Next Thursday (January 16, 2025) RR Auctions kicks off the new year with a stunning auction. The range is great and the estimate exceeds USD1,700,000. It might be a record breaking auction for RR Auctions regarding Olympic memorabilia. Lets see if they reach USD2,000,000 including buyers premium.. I will just highlight some areas and individual lots in this post but I recommend you to walk through the entire catalogue to see if something catches your interest. You find the full auction at the website.
All images in this post is published from the RR Auction site. Sizing and filters might have been applied.
Please contact us to discuss certain lots or areas.
Light up the new year with a new torch
Olympic torches is an interesting way to collect Olympic memorabilia. There is some gems in the history and they can be found from the 30s and onwards. Of course, they start at quite a high price but they will always light up a collection. Most often they are of a genuine high quality. At the RR Auction there is a great range of torches. I will highlight some of them in different price ranges.
The 1968 Grenoble Olympic torch
The great 1968 torch from the Grenoble Winter Olympics
The torch for the 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble, France, was a sleek and elegant design. It featured a cylindrical shape with a long handle, making it easy to carry during the relay. The torch was made of stainless steel, which gave it a modern and sophisticated look. It had the Olympic rings engraved near the top, along with the emblem of the Grenoble games. The flame was kept in a small, open bowl at the top, ensuring it was visible and symbolic throughout the relay. This torch not only represented the spirit of the Olympic Games but also showcased the advanced design and engineering of the time. It is only known to be 33 torches produced. Hence, it one of gems of torches and and always in demand.
It is estimated at USD150,000 and bids just now are at USD27,500 (January 8).
Moscow 1980 Summer Olympics torch
Official 1980 Moscow Olympics torch, comprised of aluminum, measuring 22″ in length and 4″ at its widest point, designed by Boris Tutschin. The torch for the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow was a striking design that symbolized the spirit of the Games. It featured a sleek, elongated shape with a smooth, cylindrical body. The torch was made of aluminum alloy and had a prominent color, which represented the vibrancy and energy of the event.
Moscow 1980 Summer Olympic relay torch
Near the top of the torch, there was the emblem of the Moscow Olympics, which included the Olympic rings and a stylized representation of a running track. The handle was designed for ease of carrying, ensuring that the flame remained steady during the relay.
This torch was not only a symbol of the athletic competition but also a representation of the cultural and political significance of the 1980 Games held in Moscow.
One of the most common torches and were made in more than 5,000. However, it is still a rarity and many collectors will add a new layer to their collection with this torch.
It is estimated at USD1,500 and bids just now are at USD220 (January 8).
Atlanta 1996 Summer Paralympics 'WhyNot' Canadian Marathon Torches
The Atlanta 1996 Summer Paralympics “WhyNot” Canadian Marathon Torch.
Two official relay torches from the WhyNot Marathon, the first Canadian Marathon for the Paralympics, which started on May 27, 1996, and covered more than 11,000 kilometers and 700 communities before concluding on July 24, 1996; the WhyNot Marathon torch was presented to members of Canada's Paralympic Team in Atlanta the following month's Summer Games. The torches, which closely emulate that of the official 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics torch, are comprised of brass with a maple handle, both measure 24″ in length, and are emblazoned on the handle with emblems for the Rotary Clubs of Canada, the Canadian Paralympic Committee, and the Canadian Foundation for Physically Disabled Persons. The torch bowls bear affixed “WhyNot” labels and contain their original used fuel canisters with wicks. Both torches bear evidence of use.
The lighting of the Eternal Flame of Hope at Metro Square in Toronto marked the beginning of the two-month WhyNot Marathon that celebrated the achievements of disabled people. Hundreds of thousands of Canadians participated as marathoners, torchbearers, sponsors, fundraisers, volunteers, and enthusiastic supporters. In all, there were over 8,000 torch carriers, 150,000 runners, 300 Rotary Clubs, 12,000 Rotarians, 7,500 Royal LePage agents, and 200 Paralympic athletes participating. The Marathon was organized by the CFPDP along with Rotary Clubs in their communities and Royal LePage employees and associates across Canada.
Texts and knowledge from the RR Auctions website. It is estimated at USD200 and bids just now are at USD150 (January 8).
Stay tuned, we will publish some more articles before the next coming days. As I said, it is a great range of items and I am happy to see that Olympic memorabilia seems to be in demand at the moment.