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Torch from the 1936 Berlin Olympics

African American Museum

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    Object Details

    Manufactured by

    Krupp AG, German, 1811 - 1999

    Designed by

    Walter Lemcke, German, 1891 - 1955

    Used by

    International Olympic Committee, Swiss, founded 1894

    Description

    An Olympic torch from the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
    A disc-shaped stainless steel torch. There is a small hole in the center. There is engraved text going around the center reading [* ALS DANK DEM TRAGER *] and [ORGANISATIONS KOMITEE FÜR DIE XI OLYMPIADE DE BERLIN 1936]. The underside of the circle has engraved text which reads [KRUPP NIROSTA V2A STAHL] and [STIFTUNG DER FRIED. KRUPP A,G., ESSEN].
    Extending from the center of the cylindrical stainless steel shaft to serve as handle, which widens into a small circular base at the end. At the top of one side of the handle is an engraving of an eagle holding the five connected Olympic rings in its talons. The words below read [FACKEL - STAFFEL - LAUF / OLYMPIA - BERLIN / 1936]. Beneath this is an engraved mapping of cities represented by circles connected via two lines. The map starts at the bottom of the shaft below the eagle and goes up and over to the top of the handle on the other side. The cities are as follows: [OLYMPIA], [ATHENS], [DELPHI], [SALON], [SOFIA], [BELGRAD], [BELARUS], [WIEN], [PRAG], [DRESDEN], [BERLIN].
    There are several scuffs and scratches on the torch.

    Credit Line

    Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

    Date

    1936

    Object number

    2016.92.5

    Restrictions & Rights

    No Known Copyright Restrictions
    Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.

    Type

    torches (lighting devices)

    Medium

    stainless steel

    Dimensions

    H x W x D: 9 3/4 × 5 1/4 × 5 1/4 in. (24.8 × 13.3 × 13.3 cm)

    Place depicted

    Berlin, Germany, Europe

    See more items in

    National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

    Classification

    Tools and Equipment
    Memorabilia and Ephemera - Other

    Data Source

    National Museum of African American History and Culture

    Topic

    African American
    Olympics
    Sports

    Metadata Usage

    CC0

    Link to Original Record

    http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd52037df79-d589-48f3-b886-1dd264ffaa47

    Record ID

    nmaahc_2016.92.5

    Discover More

    USA pin with Olympic rings

    Going for the Gold: Summer Olympics

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