Extremely rare 1980 Lake Placid Olympics torch, comprised of bronze-colored leather and metal, measuring 28.5″ in length and 8.5″ at its widest point, designed by Don McFarland and manufactured by Cleanweld Turner. The torch design and materials symbolized a blend of modern technology and a reference to Ancient Greece. A silver ring at the center of the handle supplies the Lake Placid emblem and text, "XII Olympic Winter Games, Lake Placid 1980." The bottom brass ring is missing, and has been replaced with a loose metal cap. The burner bowl remains in place. The gorgeous leather-wrapped handle is remarkably well-preserved, with only a few minor scratches.
After the flame was lit in Olympia on January 30, the flame traveled by air to Athens and then to Langley, Virginia, in the United States. The American leg of the relay was 1,600 km and designed to retrace the American Revolution Bicentennial Trail. Only 52 torchbearers participated, including one from every state plus Washington, DC, and Lake Placid. The Olympic cauldron was lit at Lake Placid on February 8th. A mere 140 torches were manufactured for the Lake Placid Winter Olympics, one of the smallest production runs for any Olympic torch. They are therefore extremely rare, and incredibly highly sought after.
