Beschreibung:

The British athlete, Heather Armstrong, was born in Ceylon in 1933, and began her athletic career at Penistone Grammar School, South Yorkshire. Coached by Jack Murphy, she enjoyed an international career from 1952-59 which took her to Australia, the United States, Canada, Europe and Scandinavia. The extensive collection of medals and memorabilia she acquired in the 1950's is here offered for sale. It provides a fascinating record of a gifted young woman's athletic career at a time when athletics in Britain was still a genuinely amateur but much under-funded sport. This unique collection comprises: 1. Medals and Diplomas (a) HELSINKI 1952 -- An OLYMPIC BRONZE MEDAL, awarded for the 4 x 100 metres relay, manufactured in bronze, 2.4in. (53mm.), the obverse depicting the figure of Victory above the stadium and the inscription "XV Olympia Helsinki", the reverse showing the Winner carried by jubilant athletes, in original case; together with her framed diploma award, 19.8in. (50cm.) x 15.9in. (40cm.). (b) MELBOURNE 1956 -- An OLYMPIC SILVER MEDAL, awarded for the 4 x 100 metres relay, manufactured in silver, 2.4in. (53mm.), the obverse depicting the figure of Victory above the stadium and the inscription "XVIth Olympiad Melbourne", the reverse showing the Winner carried by jubilant athletes, in original case; together with her framed diploma award, 19.8in. (50cm.) x 23.7in. (60cm.), and a diploma awarded for 6th position in the 100 metres, 19.8in. (50cm.) x 23.7in. (60cm.). (c) CARDIFF 1958 -- A COMMONWEALTH GAMES GOLD MEDAL, awarded for the 4 x 110 yards relay, manufactured in silver gilt, 2.8in. (57mm.), with a silver hallmark for Birmingham, 1957, the obverse depicting the British crown, the inscription "British and Commonwealth Games Cardiff Wales", circled by a chain, the reverse showing the British crown, the Welsh dragon, laurel wreath surround and daffodils, in original case. (d) CARDIFF 1958 -- A COMMONWEALTH GAMES SILVER MEDAL, awarded for the 100 yards, manufactured in silver, 2.8in. (57mm.), with a silver hallmark for Birmingham, 1957, the obverse depicting the British crown, the inscription "British and Commonwealth Games Cardiff Wales", circled by a chain, the reverse showing the British crown, the Welsh dragon, laurel wreath surround and daffodils, in original case. (e) CARDIFF 1958 -- A COMMONWEALTH GAMES BRONZE MEDAL, awarded for the 220 yards, manufactured in bronze, 2.8in. (57mm.), the obverse depicting the British crown, the inscription "British and Commonwealth Games Cardiff Wales", circled by a chain, the reverse showing the British crown, the Welsh dragon, laurel wreath surround and daffodils, in original case; together with approximately sixty-six other medals and plaques awarded between 1951 and 1959, sixty-four in original cases, relating to national and international meetings, including County, Northern Counties and W. A. A. A Championships; and three silver plate trophies (one damaged). 2. Badges (a) A collection of approximately forty-one national and international metal and enamel pin badges, mounted on a black velvet board. (b) A display of thirty-six international cloth badges and ribbons in a folder, including three Olympic vest badges, an Olympic tracksuit badge, an Olympic hat badge, the Olympic ribbon attached to the wreath awarded to her in the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, a 1954 European Championships badge, and a badge from the 1954 Commonwealth Games held in Canada. 3. Clothing and equipment (a) Two England tracksuit jackets, one worn in the 1952 Helsinki Olympics. (b) An England running vest and shorts worn in the 1952 Helsinki Olympics. (c) A straw hat signed by many British 1954 Commonwealth Games athletes, including Chris Chataway, Chris Brasher, Shirley Strickland. (d) A pair of starting-blocks, spikes, a tape measure, a hammer and seven 6in. nails used to prepare the starting-blocks. (e) A blazer from the 1958 Commonwealth Games held in Cardiff. 4. Programmes (a) Eight programmes relating