Summer Premier Auction 2018
Wed, Jul 25, 2018 04:00PM EDT - Sat, Aug 11, 2018 11:00PM EDT
Timed Auction
Lot 421
1964 TOKYO SUMMER OLYMPICS TORCH (COMPLETE WITH ORIGINAL BOX)
Sold for
$4,251.60
Sold Price includes BP
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $10 |
| $200 | $25 |
| $500 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $3,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $30,000 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
| $300,000 | $25,000 |
| $500,000 | $50,000 |
The1964 Tokyo Olympics were the first Games hosted in Asia. Torches fromthis Olympiad are among the scarcest of Summer Olympic torches, and acomplete example like this one with its bowl, cylinder and original oneintact is especially rare. The Olympic flame began its journey inOlympia, Greece, and traveled to 11 Asian cities before arriving inOkinawa, Japan, and ultimately making its way to Tokyo. The relay lasted51 days and covered a total of 26,065 km. There were 870 torchbearersoutside Japan, but the exact number within the host nation is unknown.Although a typhoon and various plane issues caused a one-day delayduring the relay, the triumphant final leg by Yoshinori Sakai throughTokyo's National Olympic Stadium on October 10, 1964, served as adefining moment for post-war Japan.
Designedby Munemichi Yanagi and manufactured by Nippon Light Metal Co., thistorch was used in the relay and comes complete with its bowl (handlebase) and cylinder (burning attachment), and even its original bowl box.In most cases, the box and cylinder are both missing. Designed like acoal-mine safety lamp, the 1964 Tokyo torch was filled with primingpowder and fumigant, a two-component ignition material that needed to bewind and rain resistant. The bowl is made of blackened aluminum alloy.Its circular top measures 17 cm (6.75") across and is engraved "XVIIIOLYMPIAD TOKYO 1964" with the interlocking Olympic rings. The verybottom of the handle is inscribed "NIKKEI YANAGI." The bowl/handle pieceis 19 cm (7.5") tall. The cylinder is clad with stainless steel andmeasures 54 cm (21.5"); when inserted into the bowl, the complete torchstands close to 65 cm (25.5"). The clean portion of the cylinder bearsthe 1964 Tokyo Games logo with "SHOWA KASEIHIN CO., 3-1964" inscribed atthe lower end, both of which are hidden when inserted into the bowl.
Thealuminum bowl has a few scratch marks. The cylinder shows more wearwith darkening (i.e. burning) on the upper end. It is not bent but doeshave a small 1-inch dent in the center that is conveniently hidden byglare. Overall, the torch presents in EX-MT condition. It comes with itsoriginal square cardboard box that holds just the bowl. The gray boxhas the Tokyo Games logo on the outside with other key descriptorslabeled jut under the opening. A wonderful complete set for Olympiccollectors.
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