Guide to London 1908 - In Remembrance of the 1908 Olympic Ga - Hardcover

Paul Leslie Lane

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1844917894 ISBN 13: 9781844917891

Publisher: Mapseeker Archive Publishing, 2014

Synopsis

The Atlas and Guide to the London Olympics of 1908, now re-published with kind permission of Collins Bartholomew, acts as both an archival accolade of Edwardian London and a tribute to the visionaries who, unknowingly at the time, ignited a flame that would continue to burn into the next millennium, uniting nations in sport. The guide began humbly as a simple, unassuming scrapbook compiled by William Barnard which eventually came to be stored in the archives of Birmingham University, having been generously donated by the British Amateur Athletics Association (AAA). Barnard, Honorary Secretary for the Polytechnic Harriers who organised the 1908 Olympic marathon, was appointed as official timekeeper for the 1908 Olympic Games at very short notice and subsequently served as the AAA's Honorary Treasurer from 1910 until 1932. Following his experience of the ground-breaking London Olympics of 1908, Barnard began to assemble what was to become a treasured collection of personal mementoes and artefacts, the first of which was a signed portrait picture of fellow official I. B. Davidson. The title of this book is in fact taken from Davidson's addition of "In Remembrance of the 1908 Olympics" along with his signature on the photograph. His official role of Motor and Attendants' Marshal was also as unique as it was interesting. During the historic 1908 London Olympic marathon, one famed for its epic finish, early motor cars donated by companies including Wolseley and Napier made their major sporting debut, carrying race officials, following runners along the course and picking up those unable to continue. The centrepiece to William Barnard's scrapbook, also reproduced in this book, are the original, illuminating letters of appeal compiled by Lord Desborough of Taplow, President of the British Olympic Council, who was canvassing for the financial support needed for London to successfully host the Olympics

About this edition

• Publisher: Mapseeker Archive Publishing
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 1844917894
• ISBN 13: 9781844917891
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 146