Lot 30287 – THE HAROLD ABRAHAMS COLLECTION HAROLD MAURICE A

THE HAROLD ABRAHAMS COLLECTION HAROLD MAURICE ABRAHAMS C.B.E. (1899-1978) Harold Abrahams was born on 15 December 1899 in Bedford, England. Famous for his Gold Medal in the 100 metre sprint at the 1924 Paris Olympic Games, Abrahams also received a silver medal for his part in the mens 4 x 100 metre relay final, run in the world record time of 42sec, (41.2) a British record from 28 years. He also set an English native long jump record, lasting 32 years, one month before the Olympics. It was his 1924 Olympic experience, along with fellow team mate Eric Liddell, that was captured in the 1981 film Chariots of Fire. Tragically, his career ended in 1925 when he suffered a broken leg as a result of a long jump accident. This left Abrahams with a permanent limp, unable to compete again. However, he pursued his career as a barrister and radio broadcaster. He wrote for a number of papers, including The Sunday Times, was author of several notable athletic books and involved himself in athletics administration and statistics. He Captained the British Team at the 1928 Olympic Games, joined the General Committee of the A.A.A. in 1926 and became Vice President in 1948. Honourable Treasurer of the B.A.A.B. between 1946-69 and Chairman between 1969-75, Abrahams attended each I.A.A.F. Congress from 1934-77, and as a member of the Technical Committee, and later its Chairman, was described as the architect of the modern laws of athletics. He was elected an Honorary Life Member of the British Olympic Association in 1977, and received the sports highest accolade in 1976; that of President of the A.A.A. Abrahams also received a C.B.E. for his work as Secretary of the National Parks Commission. This Unique Collection of items owned by the late Harold Abrahams includes the following: THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE ALL RELATED TO THE LATE BRITISH OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALLIST; HAROLD MAURICE ABRAHAMS 1. Medals (a) VIIIth OLYMPIAD PARIS 1924 – A SILVER MEDAL, awarded to Abrahams for his part in the 4 x 100 metre relay. Abrahams’ team mates were Lancy Royle, Walter Rongeley & W.E. Nichol. The obverse depicts equipment from the Olympic disciplines above the inscription “VIIIeme OLYMPIADE PARIS 1924”, the reverse depicts two nude athletes above the Olympic rings, 2in. (5cm.) diam. Also a Paris 1924 Olympic blazer badge. (b) XIVth OLYMPIAD LONDON 1948 – A PARTICIPATION MEDAL, awarded to H.M. Abrahams, bronze, by B. Mackennal & J. Pinches, depicting view of the Houses of Parliament over the legend “XIV OLYMPIAD LONDON 1948” and Olympic ring motif, reverse depicting quadriga with winner, 2in. (5.1 cm.) diam. (c) XIVth OLYMPIAD LONDON 1948 – AN OFFICIAL TEAM MANAGER BADGE, awarded to H.M. Abrahams, tombac, depicting Big Ben beneath the legend “XIV OLYMPIAD LONDON 1948” and above the Olympic ring motif, with dark blue ribbon, 2in. (5cm.) high (d) XVIIIth OLYMPIAD TOKYO 1964 – A COMMEMORATIVE MEDAL AND CASE, bronze, obverse depicting torch relay, reverse depicting Tokyo stadium with Olympic ring motif, 2 ½ in. (6cm.) diam. (e) INTERNATIONAL AMATEUR ATHLETIC FEDERATION – WORLDS RECORDS HOLDER PLAQUE, awarded to H.M. Abrahams for his membership in Great Britain’s 4 x 100 metre relay team, 4 in. (10cm.) high. (f) ACADEMIE DES SPORTS – GOLD MEDAL, awarded to H.M. Abrahams on 12 February 1925 in recognition of athletic achievements, gold with French eagle head gold standard mark, signed Andre Mery, obverse depicting winged male holding Olympic torch and laurel with Olympia in the background with legend “ACADEMIE DES SPORTS”, reverse inscribed ”H.M. Abrahams” on laurel branch, 1 ¼ in. (3cm.) diam., accompanied with duplicate letter from the Academie, dated 18 Février 1925 A collection of 9 medals & cups awarded to H.M. Abrahams, including the AMATEUR ATHLETICS ASSOCIATION RECORD PLAQUE for the native long jump record 24’ 2 ½ “ (7,38m), together with the individual medal dated 7.06.24 and THE BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIPS 1924 GOLD MEDAL for long jump dated 21.06.24. A further collection of various commemorative medals, badges and pins owned by H.M. Abrahams, including those for the I.A.A.F., A.A.A. and B.A.A.F. 2. Badges & Clothing: A collection of four cloth blazer badges, including 1924 Relay Match British Empire v USA. 3. Ephemera: A collection of athletic programmes, autographs, photographs and personal correspondence including letters of congratulations and invitation, these include a reception by Her Majesty The Queen and HRH Prince Philip at Buckingham Palace and the ‘Golden Athletes Dinner’ at the House of Commons A truly amazing lot for the connoisseur and Olympic historian