Historical and Art Medals, Numismatic Books

The Olympic Medals and Memorabilia awarded to the BBC sports commentator Bill Latto:
Olympic Games, London, 1948, Officials bronze badge depicting the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Bridge, 47 x 32mm (cf. DNW 54, 989); Olympic Games, London, 1948, a bronze medal by B. Mackennal and J.R. Pinches, Houses of Parliament in cartouche, rev. quadriga left, 51mm (BHM 4422; E 2076; MJP p.118; cf. DNW 61, 1284); Olympic Games, London, 1948, a dark blue and multicolour cloth blazer badge, 14cm square; Olympic Games, Rome, 1960, Nazionale Italiano Comitato Olympico, silver award by D. Manetti, centaur left, standing figure of Athena at right, rev. named (Bill Latto, Commentator), 38mm; Olympic Games, Rome, 1960, Nazionale Italiano Comitato Olympico, a large hollow plated award by D. Manetti, similar, rev. named (Bill Latto, Commentator), 100mm; Olympic Games, Rome, 1960, official Identity Card, named and signed (Wm. L. Latto, Telecronista), with portrait photograph [Lot]. Very fine (£600-800)

Plate IV. William Latto, now aged 89, was born on 26 March 1917. At the 1948 Games he was a freelance radio journalist for the BBC, interviewing competitors; he also was a technical advisor to the Central Council of Physical Recreation, the body now known as the Sports Council. At the 1960 Games, the first to be televised worldwide, Mr Latto was selected by the BBC to commentate for Britain and became a member of the broadcasting conglomerate Eurovision. The lot is sold with a 4-page document, Mens Sana in Corpore Sano (A Sound Mind and a Healthy Body), written and signed by Mr Latto, which includes much pertinent comment on the 1948 and 1960 Games, the facilities available for the media coverage of them and, with an eye to the 2012 Games in London, a plea for the restoration of effective recreative physical activities in schools and sports clubs throughout Britain