Sought-after official 1948 London Olympics torch, comprised of aluminum alloy, measuring 16″ in length and 5″ at its widest point, designed by Ralph Lavers. The black burner remains in place, for an overall length of 18.5.″ The upper part is designed in the shape of a cauldron with three ‘cut-outs’ of the Olympic rings, encircled below by the inscription, “Olympia to London, with thanks to the bearer: XIVth Olympiad 1948.” The 1948 Olympics in London represented the first Summer Games since 1936 after a twelve-year hiatus due to World War II. The total number of torches manufactured was 1,688.