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1924 Paris, VIII Summer Olympics: The Ernie Austen Collection:…
Sale Title:
Auction House:
Auction Location:
Melbourne
Date:
25-Jun-2008
Lot No.
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Description:
1924 Paris, VIII Summer Olympics: The Ernie Austen Collection: - Participation Diploma 'VIIIe Olympiade, Paris, Mcmxxiv' awarded to 'M.Austen, Ernest' and with facsimile autograph of Pierre de Coubertin, framed and glazed, overall 55 x 70 cm. Excellent condition and extremely rare. - An Australian 'Baggy Green' Cap from 1924 Paris Olympics, with embroidered Australian Coat-of-Arms on front, made by David Jones, Sydney. Some wear though superb appearance. A rare - possibly unique - Australian 'Baggy Green' cap. - 1924 Paris Olympics Participation Medal, in bronze, designed by Raoul Benard, minted by Paris Mint, 55 mm diameter. Good condition. - Embroidered badge, shield-shaped, 'NSW Aaa/(Waratah)/1924'. - Enamel badge, with '8th Olympiad' at top, above discus thrower, made by Sydney jeweller W.Kerr. Rare. [Ernest Austen represented Australia in the 10000m Walk at the 1924 Paris Olympics. Amazingly and controversially, he was warned in the first lap by the French judge who thought his gait doubtful. In the second lap the American judge ordered him off when he was lying third and was doing well. In later years, he commented 'I was in third place, just behind the leaders and going along very easily. I thought I had a good chance but then an American judge came up and told me I was disqualified. I asked him why but he said he didn't know. You usually get two cautions before being disqualified but I wasn't aware of them. Nobody ever did tell me why I was outed.' He broke down and went to the dressing rooms. It was his first disqualification in some 15 years of competitive walking. The pace at the time of his disqualification was very slow - equal to about 7:30 to the mile. In fact, of the 13 starters, only 6 finished in what was a farcical event. Australian officials were adamant that his style was satisfactory and the whole event deteriorated into an ugly affair. (Walking was consequently dropped from the 1928 Olympics and did not re-appear in the Olympics until 1932, when a 50 km roadwalk was introduced.)]
Estimate:
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Price:
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Category:
Unclassified