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Auction House:Leski Auctions Pty. Ltd.Number of lots recorded:111
Sale Title:The John Konrads CollectionLots with images:78
Auction Location:MelbournePrices available:61
Date:18-Aug-2011
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John Konrads' photographs: Huge collection c1955-64, including photographs (642), slides (261), negatives (c134) and large format colour transparencies (5). Approximately half the shots taken by Konrads. Noted early world records by John and Ilsa Konrads; 1956 Townsville pre-Olympic Training; 1956 Melbourne Olympics; 1958 British Commonwealth Games in Cardiff; 1958 Australian swimming Team world Tour; 1960 Rome Olympics; 1961-63 study/swimming in USA; 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Inspection will reward; an…
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John Konrads' Archive: Passport 1958-68; fan letters (many 100s) received by John and Ilsa from Australia and overseas; letters home (c50) ; tele grams, some re 1960 Olympics gold medal; Natal Chart and interpretation (26pp) ; letters re University of Southern California Scholarship; telephone/address books (3) ; few press clippings; 1962 notebook; photographs (c20) ; postcards; tourist brochures/ephemera; membership cards (4) ; invitations; business cards; few signed items including Dave Brubeck, Connie…
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John Konrads' Trophies: Large cup 32 cm tall; 1958 French National Championship trophies (2); Cups (2); Trophy S.T.H.S. 1959 School Champion; Plaques (3) including 'Sport Magazine Award, Top Performer in Swimming, John Konrads, 1958'; Tankards (12) including Abc Sportsman of the Year 1960. Fair/Good condition. (21 items)
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1954-55 NSW State Championships: 'N.S.W. Amateur Swimming Association' medal, engraved on reverse '440 Yds U/14 Chp, 1954-55, 1st, J.Konrads'
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1955-56 NSW State Championships: 'N.S.W. Amateur Swimming Association' medals, one engraved on reverse '440 Yds U/14 Chp, 1955-56, 1st'; other engraved '440 Yds Jnr Chp, 1955-56, 2nd'. John’s swim shattered both the Australian & NSW under 14 records. (2 items)
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1956 Australian Championships: 'Amateur Swimming Union of Australia' medal, engraved on reverse '440 Yds Free Jun., 1st - 1956'. John’s swim re-broke the NSW under 14 record
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1956 Programmes: 'Victorian All Schools Swimming Championships, Richmond Baths, Saturday 24th March' & 'Olympic Carnival, North Sydney Olympic Pool, Saturday 20th October 1956'. Scarce. (2 items)
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'Speedo Swim News', Notice Board Editions, each poster size 40 x 58 cm, including editions 2nd, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 22nd, 23rd, 26th & 27th (nice poster for XVIII Olympic Games Rome 1960) [Sept.1956-1958]. (13 items)
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John Konrads’ Record Certificates, 1956-62, including Queensland (12), Western Australia (3), Transvaal (2), British Empire (5), USA (1) & US College (1). (24 items)
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1957 Programmes: 'Australian National Swimming and Diving Championships, Canberra Olympic Pool, Official Programme, First Session - Saturday 16th February 1957'; 'The Herald Learn-to-Swim, Fifth Annual Carnival, Olympic Park Swimming Stadium, Melbourne Moomba Festival, Wednesday 6th March 1957' (plus Schedule for Opening ceremony x3); Nswasa 'Swimming Almanac, Season 1957-58'; 'The Speedo Swim Show for The British Empire Games Funds' (Dalby, Qld). Scarce. (7 items)
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1958 Programmes: 'New South Wales Swimming Championships, second Session - Wednesday 15th January 1958'; 'Australian Swimming Championships and British Empire Games Trials, Olympic Swimming Stadium, Melbourne - 18th Feb.1958'; 'Monster Swimming Carnival, Sunday Evening 30th March 1958' (Bankstown); '1958 Official Program, Men’s Senior National A.A.U. Outdoor Swimming and Diving Championships, August 8, 9, 10, Indianapolis, Indiana'; 'NSW Amateur Swimming Association, Interclub Swim Meet Series 1958-59'.…
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1958 South Australian Medals: 'S.A. Amateur Swimming Assocation, Proficiency' medals - blue enamel on gold, red enamel on silver & green enamel on bronze - each engraved on reverse 'John Konrads, 6-4-58'. (3 items)
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George Breen (USA), nice letter dated Jan.21 1958 from Pvt George Breen, congratulating Konrads on breaking the world records, and 'I understand you’ll be after the 1500m (held by George Breen) next month. I want to wish you the best of luck in the Australian Championships and I sincerely hope you get it'. Konrads went on to break the 1500m World Record on 22nd February. An extraordinary letter
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Lap Times: Notepaper written by Don Talbot in early 1958, showing John's 55 yard splits adding up to 440 yards in 4:25.6 - well under the current world record. Another notepaper written by Frank Guthrie at 1956 pre-Olympics training camp, where John was pacing Lorraine Crapp to become the fi rst woman to break the 5 minute barrier for the 440 yards and create a new world record. on the 23rd August 1956 Crapp was successful, swimming 4:58. (2 items)
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Fina World Record Certificate: 'F.I.N.A., We hereby certify that the performance of J.Konrads, 880 yards Freestyle 9 min 14,5 sec made on Febr.22.1958 at Melbourne, passed by Amateur Swimming Union of Australia is a World?S Record, confi rmed in compliance with the Rules of the Federation Internationale de Natation Amateur', signed by Jan de Vries (Fina President) & Bertil Sallfors, framed & glazed, overall 50 x 65 cm. Condition A+
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Fina World Record Certificate: 'F.I.N.A., We hereby certify that the performance of National Team Australia, J.Devitt, G.Chapman, G.Shipton, J.Konrads, 4x110 yards Freestyle relay 3 min 47,3 sec made on Febr 9.1958 at Sydney, passed by The Amateur Swimming Union of Australia is a World?S Record, confi rmed in compliance with the Rules of the Federation Internationale de Natation Amateur', signed by Jan de Vries (Fina President) & Bertil Sallfors, size 49 x 64 cm. Condition A+
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Fina World Record Certificate: 'F.I.N.A., We hereby certify that the performance of National Team Australia, J.Konrads, G.Hamilton, J.Devitt, G.Chapman, 4x220 yards Freestyle relay 8 min 24,5 sec made on March 5.1958 at Sydney, passed by The Amateur Swimming Union of Australia is a World?S Record, confi rmed in compliance with the Rules of the Federation Internationale de Natation Amateur', signed by Jan de Vries (Fina President) & Bertil Sallfors, size 49 x 64 cm. Condition A+
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Fina World Record Certificate: 'F.I.N.A., We hereby certify that the performance of National Team Australia, G.Chapman, J.Konrads, G.Shipton, J.Devitt, 4x110 yards Freestyle relay 3 min 46,3 sec made on May 3.1958 at Brisbane, passed by The Amateur Swimming Union of Australia is a World?S Record, confi rmed in compliance with the Rules of the Federation Internationale de Natation Amateur', signed by Jan de Vries (Fina President) & Bertil Sallfors, size 49 x 64 cm. Condition A+
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Colour Photographs, 'John Konrads, Worlds Champion Swimmer, Holder of Eight Worlds Records, 1958' (framed, 26 x 32 cm); plus 'John Konrads, Breaking a Worlds Record' (framed, 31 x 27 cm). (2 items)
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John Konrad's 1958 British Commonwealth Games blazer, green wool, with beautiful embroidered pocket '(Australian coat-of-arms) / British EandC games, Cardiff 1958/ swimming', made by David Jones, with label inside pocket endorsed 'J.Konrads/ 4492-20.5.58'. Fine condition
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1958 Commonwealth Games in Cardiff, John Konrad's official competitor's badge, enamelled with red Welsh dragon over 'Beandcg' logo, with pale blue ribbon printed 'Swimming Competitor'
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John Konrad's 1958 British Commonwealth Games in Cardiff, gold winner's medal, '1958 VI.British Empire and Commonwealth Games, Cardiff, Wales', 55 mm diameter, engraved on reverse 'Swimming/ Men/ 1650 Yds./ Freestyle' in original presentation box
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John Konrad's 1958 British Commonwealth Games in Cardiff, gold winner's medal, '1958 VI.British Empire and Commonwealth Games, Cardiff, Wales', 55 mm diameter, engraved on reverse 'Swimming/ Men/ 4 x 220 Yds./ Relay'
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John Konrad’S 1958 British Commonwealth Games in Cardiff, Gold Winner’S Medal, '1958 VI.British Empire and Commonwealth Games, Cardiff, Wales', 55 mm diameter, engraved on reverse 'Swimming/ Men/ 440 Yds./ Free Style' in original presentation box
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John Konrads, original hand-painted cartoon by Jim Russell (with two fi sh talking to John, 'Hey John! Teach us to swim like a human! We?ve been sorta left behind!!', on card 21 x 13 cm, signed on reverse by 1958 Empire Games Swimming Team, 21 signatures including Dawn Fraser, John Devitt, Lorraine Crapp, John Monckton & Don Talbot
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1958 Australian Swimming Team World Tour: 'Australian Swimming Team Report: British Empire & Commonwealth Games Cardiff Wales; and Tour of Paris, Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan 1958' by Team Manager Alan Blue [Sydney, 1958]; rare programmes from Paris, Japan (5), Hong Kong (3) & Taiwan (2); tourist brochures/ephemera & postcards from Fiji, Hawaii, USA, Britain, Paris, Denmark, Japan, Hong Kong & Taiwan; photographs (3); scarce Japanese dinner menu to team; silver belt buckle commemorating Australia & Japan…
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1958 Japanese Championships Trophy: Circular Wood/Metal Trophy, 36 cm diameter, with plaque at base '1958 Japanese Championships, John Konrads, Winner, 1500m Free Style 17:56.2 Aug.14th, 400m Free Style 4:26.1 Aug.16th, N.S.R.', in original presentation case
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Qantas: Airlines group with menus (5) including souvenir menus for 1958 British Empire Games, 1960 40th Anniversary & 1964 Tokyo Olympics; tickets (3); 1958 Qantas magazine; folders (2); postcard; 1958 'King Neptune' certificate; 1960 Olympic baggage label; Tokyo 1964/Qantas baggage labels (6)
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1958 Australian swimming Team Shirts: one in olive-green made by Speedo; other in deep green made by Universal Co. Tokyo, both with pockets embroidered 'A.S.U.A, (Australian Coat-Of-Arms), Far East 1958'. (2 items)
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1958 Australian Swimming Team Tour to Japan: John Konrads’ award and participation medals from the 'Australia-Japan International Swimming Meet - Osaka 1958' comprising 200M Silver, 400M Gold, 800M Gold and 2 gold medals from the Japanese National Championships where he won the 400M & 1500M against Yamanaka. All in original cases of presentation. (5)
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Fina World Record Certificate: 'F.I.N.A., We hereby certify that the performance of J.Konrads, 880 yards Freestyle 9 min 17,7 sec made on Nov.1.1958 at Sydney, passed by Amateur Swimming Union of Australia is a World?S Record, confi rmed in compliance with the Rules of the Federation Internationale de Natation Amateur', signed by Jan de Vries (Fina President) & Bertil Sallfors, framed, overall 50 x 65 cm. Condition A+. This was John Konrads' fi rst world record. Interestingly, the date on the certificate…
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Bankstown Presentation Banner: Beautiful hand-painted presentation parchment banner, 'to John & Ilsa Konrads, World Swimming Champions, from the Municipality of Bankstown NSW', decorated with Australian wildfl owers, overall 54 x 85 cm, in original wooden presentation box. Superb condition
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Perth Visits: Wood-turned stand, engraved 'To John Konrads, To Remember Perth Visit, December 1958, From W.A. Amateur Swimming Association'; plus silver-plated tray engraved 'W.A.A.S.A., Presented to John Konrads, Perth Visit, March 1964'. (2 items)
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1959 Programmes: 'New South Wales Swimming Championships, International Swim Meet, Saturday 7th February 1959' (2); 'Australian National Swimming and Diving Championships - Hobart 1959' (results - 3 pages); plus 'The Swimming Times' for Feb.1959 with article ‘The Konrads Record Roundabout’. (4 items)
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Cartoon: Original hand-drawn cartoon by Emile Mercier (showing group of fi sh, youngster saying, 'Look Mum! Dawn Fraser, John Konrads Whizz Whizz!'), on card 28 x 19 cm
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Cartoons: Original hand-drawn cartoons by Tony Rafty (Aboriginal saying to tourist, 'Wall decorations' No boss - Them news bulletin - Aussies Walkover- Football - Tennis - Golf'); original by Paul Rigby (Konrads saying 'I’m fi nished coach! Washed up! Been in the water fi ve minutes and didn’t break one single world record!!'); plus fi le of printed cartoons (5) & photographs (9). (Total 16 items)
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Fina World Record Certificate: 'F.I.N.A., We hereby certify that the performance of J.Konrads Australia, 800 metres/880 yards Freestyle 8 min. 59.6 sec. made on January 10, 1959 at Sydney, passed by Amateur Swimming Union of Australia, is a World?S Record, confi rmed in compliance with the Rules of the Federation Internationale de Natation Amateur', signed by Max Ritter (Fina President) & Kitaro Abe, framed & glazed, overall 50 x 65 cm. Condition A+
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1959 Helms World Trophy Award, heavy silver-plated plaque in original perspex case. The trophy engraving includes, 'Helms World Trophy - Created by Paul H.Helms to Honor the Foremost Amateur Athlete on Each Continent of the World, Annually, With Selections dating from 1896'.
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Fina World Record Certificate: 'F.I.N.A., We hereby certify that the performance of J.Konrads Australia, 220 yards Freestyle 2 min. 01,9 sec. made on January 22, 1960 at Sydney, passed by Amateur Swimming Union of Australia, is a World?S Record, confirmed in compliance with the Rules of the Federation Internationale de Natation Amateur', with printed signatures of Max Ritter (Fina President) & Kitaro Abe, framed, overall 50 x 65 cm. Condition A+
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1961 Programme: 'Australian National Swimming Championships, Valley Swimming Pool Brisbane, Tuesday 21st February 1961'; plus results sheets - 4 pages); plus notice of a payment from The Australian Broadcasting Commission to John Konrads for airing a programme 'My Choice No.38' on 2BC. (3 items)
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1961-63 University of Southern California: Group including 1963 Elgin USc Ncaa Watch, engraved on reverse 'Swimming, J.Konrads'; Aau USA tie pin; photographs (40) including nice range featuring 1961 US Swimming Championships with Murray Rose & Tsuyoshi Yamanaka; telegrams wishing John luck in USA; letter re USc grants; 'Official Program, Men’s Senior National Aau Indoor Swimming and Diving Championships'; 1962 Record Certificate for 440 Yards Freestyle; 'Beta Theta Pi' magazine; football tickets for USc v…
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University of Southern California 'Trojans' ring, 9ct gold. attractive and scarce, the ring was presented to Konrads for his starring role in the Usc swimming team
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USA Medals: Lasc Sesqui Centenary Carnival, Invitation Mens 100 F/S 1st Chicago’s Lakefront Festival, Mens International Swimming Meet 1962 Indianapolis (Compliments of Herff-Jones Co) Amateur Athletic Association of the United States 1962 - 400 Yd Free Relay 800m Freestyle Relay 2nd Far Western A.A.U. (San Francisco) 1962 Los Angeles Invitational 1962 - 200m Free Style 3rd 400m Free Style 3rd 1500m Free Style 4th 400m Freestyle Relay 1st 800m Freestyle Relay 2nd Mercury Invitational 1962- 100 Yds Free…
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1963 Touchdown Club Trophy: Silver-plated ice-bucket, engraved 'Swimmer of the Year, 1963, John Konrads, University of Southern California, Presented by The Touchdown Club of Columbus'. Also '1964 Touchdown Club All Sports Award Dinner' badge. (2 items)
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'Swimming Australian Style' edited by Jack Pollard [Melbourne, 1963], with Chapter 6 written by John & Ilsa Konrads, together with May 1962 letter (3 pages + associated notes) from the editor Jack Pollard to John regarding his chapter
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1964 Programmes/Magazines: 'Australian Swimming Championships and Olympic Trials Programme' for Feb.28th, Feb.29th & Mar.1st (North Sydney); 'Australia’s Olympic Swim Team - Final Trials, Townsville North Qld, Saturday September 19 1964'; plus 'The International Swimmer' Vol.1 Nos.1, 2 & 5 [Sydney, 1964]. (7 items)
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1968 Gold Medal Swimmers Tour to France: Scrapbook containing photographs (67); press clippings; menus (3); postcards (2); Moulin Rouge programme; Aau pennant with 4 signatures including Mark Spitz, Debbie Meyer & Zac Zorn; programme 'Gala International de Noel 1968'. Various items signed, with 4 signatures each of Mike Burton, Michael Wenden, Debbie Meyer, Doug Russell & Zac Zorn. Other tour participants included John Konrads & Milena Duchkova
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Various medals including 'Federacion Argentina de Natacion' Gold Medal won in Buenos Aires in December 1962 (400M), various Olympic Pool inaugurations at which John Konrads was guest of honour, a 4th Place Medal 220Yd Freestyle 1962 from the USA Nationals. (6 items)
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1985 Stolen Medals: Group with 1985 newspaper with story of John’s stolen medals; photographs (41) of Herb Elliott’s similar medals, for police & insurance purposes. In 2009, after 24 years, John Konrads’ lost medals were recovered - see Lot 90 below for the replacement medals and lots 94, 95 & 96 for the originals
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1900 Paris, II Summer Olympics: Frederick Lane (first Australian to represent his country in swimming at the Olympic Games, although he was actually a part of the British team when he competed at the 1900 Paris games and won two gold medals), nice signed letter to John Konrads wishing him the best at the 1960 Rome Olympics
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1940 Helsinki, XII Summer Olympics (Cancelled): Ladies Silk Scarf for 1940 Helsinki Olympics (cancelled), made by Turun Verkatehdas, 35 x 40 cm. Given to John Konrads by a fan
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1956 official badge for Athletics competitor, maroon enamel border, bronze background, and red ribbon printed 'Athletics', numbered '4394' on reverse. Ex John Konrads, who as a 14 year old, attended the 1956 Olympics as a reserve
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1956 official report: 'The Official Report of the Organizing Committee For the Games of the XVI Olympiad Melbourne 1956', the defi nitive 760 page handbook with all the results and excellent photographs, with in front 'Presented to John Konrads By, the Union of Old Swimmers, in Appreciation of His Participation in Our Annual Reunion at the Domain Baths, Sydney, 20th March 1960'. Good condition (no dust-jacket)
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Blazer Pockets & Cloth Badges: 1956 Olympics blazer pocket - green, with embroidered Australian Coat-of-Arms, Olympic Rings and 'Olympic Games 1956'; Nswasa - Australian Championships Sydney 1955-56 blazer pocket; badges include Australia - Rome 1960 Olympics (2); Australia - Tokyo 1964 Olympics (2); Bankstown Asc (25); Nswasa (2); Cardiff Be&Cg 1958; France; Championats de France 1958; Hawaii; Japan; Laac. (41 items)
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John Konrads' Australian Olympic Team ties, 1956 with embroidered kangaroo over Olympic rings in fi ve colours, made by Holeproof; 1960 and 1964 ties made by Austico; also NSWASA tie. (4 items)
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1960 Rome, XVII Summer Olympics: Rome Olympic Team: Photograph 'Rome Olympic Team, Townsville 1960', signed by the four swimmers below - Murray Rose, Jon Henricks, John Devitt & John Konrads, window mounted, framed & glazed, overall 60 x 54 cm. The Australian 4x200m freestyle relay team set a world record in training prior to the Olympics, but without Jon Henricks, who withdrew due to illness, they were only able to claim a bronze medal behind the United States and Japan at the Olympics
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John Konrads Medal Display, with replica gold & two bronze medals, created by the International Olympic Committee to replace the medals stolen from John in 1985, and presented to him at a dinner in the lead-up to the Sydney Olympics, window mounted, framed & glazed, overall 56 x 30 cm.
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1960 Rome Olympics, Bronze Medal awarded to John Konrads for Third place in the 400 metres Freestyle; with bronze metal wreath with name of sport 'Nuoto' (Swimming) designed by Giuseppe Cassioli, minted by Artistice Fiorenti in Florence and in the original green case of presentation. also Diploma: 'Giochi Della XVII Olimpiade, Diploma', awarded to 'John Konrads, Comitato Olimpico Australiano, Medaglia Di Bronzo, 400 M Stile Libero Uomini', with printed signatures of Avery Brundage (Ioc President) & Giulio…
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1960 Rome Olympics, bronze medal awarded to John Konrads for Third place in the 4 x 200 metres men's Freestyle Relay; with bronze metal wreath with the name of the sport 'Nuoto' (swimming) designed by Giuseppe Cassioli, minted by Artistice Fiorenti in Florence and in the original green case of presentation. Also Diploma: 'Giochi Della Xvii Olimpiade, Diploma', awarded to 'John Konrads, Comitato Olimpico Australiano, Medaglia Di Bronzo, Staffetta Stile Libero 4 Per 200 M Uomini', with printed signatures of…
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John Konrads' official Australian uniform T-shirt, with badge on pocket '(kangaroo), Rome 1960, Australia, (Olympic rings) ', Made By Speedo
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John Konrads' official Australian uniform dressing-gown, green towelling with yellow piping, and letters 'Australia' on reverse, made by acorn of Melbourne
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