BOSTON, MASS.- A Lake Placid 1980 Winter Olympics Torch sold for $40,706 according to Boston-based
RR Auction.
The torch is comprised of bronze-colored leather and metal, designed by Don McFarland and manufactured by Cleanweld Turner. The torch design and materials symbolized a blend of modern technology and a reference to Ancient Greece.
After the flame was lit in Olympia on January 30, the flame traveled by air to Athens and then to Langley, Virginia, in the United States. The American leg of the relay was 1,600 km and designed to retrace the American Revolution Bicentennial Trail. Only 52 torchbearers participated, including one from every state plus Washington, DC, and Lake Placid. The Olympic cauldron was lit at Lake Placid on February 8th. 140 torches were manufactured for the Lake Placid Winter Olympics, one of the smallest production runs for any Olympic torch.
Since so few were produced the torch is extremely rare, and incredibly highly sought after, said Bobby Livingston, Executive VP at RR Auction. With the opening ceremonies just weeks away, were not surprised with the prices achieved.
Highlights from the sale include, but are not limited by:
Garmisch 1936 Winter Olympics Silver Winner's Medal sold for $36,759.
Sapporo 1972 Winter Olympics collection of ten official badges sold for $27,174.
Cortina 1956 Winter Olympics torch sold for $21,700 .
Chamonix 1924 Winter Olympics Third Place Bronze Winners Medal sold for $15,312.
Paris 1924 Summer Olympics Sevres vase sold for $12,866.
The Olympic from RR Auction began on January 11 and concluded on January 18.