Memories of Olympics Past

Memories of Olympic dreams will come under the hammer this December in Tennants Auctioneer’s Toys, Models and Sporting Sale, when two private collections of Olympic memorabilia, consigned by descendants of athletes.

On offer with an estimate of £5,000-7,000 are a group of medals and ephemera relating to Frederick Holmes, who won Gold in the Tug of War in the 1920 Antwerp Olympics (all figures exclude buyer’s premium). Holmes worked for the City of London Police, whose tug of war team dominated the sport for decades. After winning the Amateur Athletics Association Tug of War Championships, the City of London Police Team went on to compete for Great Britain in the Olympics and won the Gold. As this was the last games to include the event, the team remain the reigning Olympic Tug of War champions. Included in the lot are a VII Olympiad Gold Medal, an VII Olympiad Participation Medal, two 1920s AAA Championships Olympic trials medals, a quantity of biographical material relating to Holmes and an original postcard of the Tug of War taking place in Antwerp.

Whilst the 1920 games was a symbol of peace after the horrors of the First World War, the 1936 Berlin games were a vehicle for propaganda for Germany’s oppressive ruling party. It was in these games that young William Pearson from Oldham, Lancashire took part as a member of the Great Britain Swimming Team. Despite Pearson being a surprise choice for selection, he was entered into the 400m Freestyle, in which he was eliminated in the heats, and the 4x200m Freestyle Relay in which he did not start. On offer are Pearson’s swimming costume and swimming cap, GB team cap and embroidered team badges, and a quantity of ephemera including his Olympic ID card, games brochure, postcards and correspondence, all sold with an estimate of £700-1,000.

View Sale