Rare 1928 Bronze Olympic Medal

[Mervyn Mitton]

This is the type of collectable that we think will interest members - however, the choice is totally yours, and remember, it is sometimes low value items that can generate most enthusiasm.

This is a very rare Bronze medal from the Amsterdam Olympics of 1928 - they were the 1X (9th) Games to be held. The winner was Mrs. Mary Bedford-Marran - a local Durban girl. She was 21 years of age when she was selected to be part of the four member Womens' swim team. They won the Bronze between them and her comments in the newspaper article, about how different the Olympics were in those early days, makes fascinating reading. She was also presented with the Bronze contestant's medal - and both are still together.

Following after the Olympics, Ireland had it's first Games since they had Independence in 1922. These were called the Taltium Games and were in Dublin. She won a First in Swimming and was presented with a lovely Medal in silver gilt - all wording being in Gaelic. I wonder if anyone knows what happened to these Games - were they repeated ?

Mrs Bedford-Marran died a few years' ago - in her 90's. I think it is wonderful that her awards have remained together - a simple young girl - who represented her Country with pride.

[Mervyn Mitton]

ENLARGED

[Mervyn Mitton]

ENLARGED

[Mervyn Mitton]

BRONZE MEDAL BOX

[Mervyn Mitton]

BRONZE IN BOX

[Mervyn Mitton]

BRONZE MEDAL - FRONT

[Mervyn Mitton]

BRONZE MEDAL - REVERSE

[Mervyn Mitton]

CONTESTANT'S MEDAL - GIVEN TO ALL WHO COMPETED

[Mervyn Mitton]

CONTESTANT'S MEDAL - FRONT

[Mervyn Mitton]

THE TALTIUM GAMES - SILVER GILT MEDAL FOR SWIMMING. DUBLIN 1928

[Mervyn Mitton]

PRESENTATION BOX LABEL - I WONDER, DO THEY STILL EXIST ?

[Mervyn Mitton]

TALTIUM MEDAL - FRONT

[Mervyn Mitton]

TALTIUM MEDAL - REVERSE