Collection OS Amsterdam 1928

Olympic objects find their way to museums and enthusiasts

For almost forty years, Jaco Treurniet collected everything about the 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam. But in 2015, at the age of 81, it was all over as far as he was concerned. The collector from Harderwijk wanted to make other people happy with the objects and decided to have them auctioned. Attempts to sell his collection to the city of Amsterdam, the Olympic Stadium and NOC*NSF failed, despite its great sport-historical value. The 1928 Olympics are the only ever held in the Netherlands. They are also the first in which a flame was lit and women took part in athletics and gymnastics.

Tarzan

Treurniet chose Heritage Auctions Europe in IJsselstein to auction this completely unique collection. His collection consisted of about a thousand memorabilia, such as entrance tickets, medals and posters. The odd one out was a wooden clog that participants were given as a souvenir. The clog in question stood out for autographs from winning athletes, such as wrestler Allie Morrison, shot putter John Kuck and swimmer Johnny Weissmuller. The latter won two gold medals in Amsterdam. And then became world famous as jungle hero Tarzan who made the hearts of women beat faster.

Double yield

The auction of Treurniet's collection raised almost 200,000 euros. This was double the value at which the collection was estimated. The buyers included museums and private individuals from the Netherlands and abroad. The most was a collection of twelve official badges: 40,000 euros. Three medals - a gold, a silver and a bronze - were sold together for about 25,000 euros. An original poster with 'the scout' (the athlete depicted walks in a special position, ed.) raised 8,750 euros. An earthenware plate, which the athletes ate, went for 2,500 euros. And the clog? It changed owners for 1,250 euros. It was one of fifty lots that the municipality of Amsterdam bought in collaboration with NOC*NSF.