Rare and unusual 1980 Lake Placid Olympics torch carried by DeForrest Jackson as Georgia's runner in the official torch relay, 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. The central ring lacks the Lake Placid emblem and text seen on many torches, as issued for this variant; the torch bowl also has a rare metal switch seen on few other examples of Lake Placid 1980 Winter Olympic relay torches, evidently designed to control the burn rate. The bottom brass ring, which exhibits some light wear, is engraved with the maker's information, "Cleanweld / Turner, Sycamore, Illinois” and marked “102.” The burner bowl remains in place. The torch exhibits some wear and scuffing to its leather-wrapped handle, as well as general overall wear from use in the relay.
Additionally includes several uniform pieces and souvenirs issued to DeForrest Jackson to commemorate his role as a member of the Lake Placid 1980 Olympic Torch Relay Team: a thick, bright yellow winter jacket featuring a "XIII Olympic Winter Games Lake Placid 1980" embroidered patch on the chest, with matching winter overalls and a pair of gloves, all made by Asics; a "Lake Placid 1980 Olympic Torch Relay Team" tank top with matching running shorts, both made by Asics; a large 5' by 3' blue-and-white flag of the Lake Placid 1980 Olympic Winter Games; and an official nickel-silver participation medal issued for the Lake Placid 1980 Winter Olympics, housed in its original hinged case, featuring modernist relief views of the nine winter sports on the front, with Lake Placid Games emblem encircled by the raised words of the Olympic oath in four concentric circles on the reverse. Also accompanied by photocopies of three newspaper articles about DeForrest Jackson's participation in the Lake Placid 1980 torch relay.
After being lit in Olympia on January 30, the Olympic 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, D.C. and Lake Placid—picked from a pool of over 6,000 applicants. Of his election as torchbearer, Jackson reflected: 'Dealing with being selected has made me different. It forces one to ask what does one's life represent that is of value to be chosen for such an honor. The first reaction is to be very modest. It's hard to accept being the symbol of the kind of person you aspire to be. The process gives you a new sense of integrity and a sense of being whole.'
Each torchbearer, DeForrest Jackson included, carried the flame many times during the course of the national relay. The Olympic cauldron was kindled at Lake Placid on February 8th. A mere 132 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; additionally, this is the first example identified to a specific runner that we have encountered.
