Summer Premier Auction 2018
Wed, Jul 25, 2018 04:00PM EDT - Sat, Aug 11, 2018 11:00PM EDT
Timed Auction
Lot 423
1968 MEXICO CITY SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES TORCH (TYPE E) USED IN RELAY
Sold for
$1,064.40
Sold Price includes BP
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $200 | $25 |
| $500 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $3,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,000 |
| $30,000 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 | $20,000 |
| $300,000 | $25,000 |
| $500,000 | $50,000 |
This torch was used in the 1968 Summer Olympics relay that brought the flame to Mexico City. There were five different variations and this is rather scarce 'Type E' version. The relay began on August 23 1968 in Olympia Greece and retraced the route taken by Christopher Columbus to discover the New World traveling through his birthplace in Genoa as well as where he initially set sail from Palos in Spain to the first land he reached in San Salvador. In all the flame traveled 13620 km over 25 days through the hands of 2778 torchbearers before arriving at Olympic Stadium where Norma Enriqueta Basilio de Sotelo of Mexico became the first woman to ever light the Olympic cauldron.
Constructed of a silver white-cast metal its rather primitive look features an artistic top with "MEXICO 68" creatively crafted twice around the rim. The torch has a compact size of 17 1/2" (44 cm) long 4" (10 cm) in diameter at the flame opening and weighs nearly 3 lbs. The only difference between this and the even rarer 'Type C' version is the lack of a rope handle. It shows significant use from the relay and remains in VG-EX overall condition. An iconic memento from the Games that showcased perhaps the most important Civil Rights demonstration in sports history: the famous Black Power Salute by African-American 200m medalists Tommie Smith and John Carlos.
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