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 4104 athletes (3714 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 1720 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 London torches were designed by Ralph Lavers and made of aluminum alloy. The 14 cm diameter 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 (41 cm) tall with the circular bowl measuring 6 inches (15 cm) in diameter. Unfortunately it does not come its flame holder which would double the value of the torch. This torch was used in the torch relay yet it presents in outstanding condition for its age NM-MT in our book. Aside from the missing flame holder all elements remain completely intact. What a superb example of one of the more coveted torches in the market!