Breal's silver cup -- presented at the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 -- has sold at auction for £541,000. The cup is just 15 centimetres high but beautifully decorated in the art nouveau style.
Breal's silver cup sold at auction —
Breal's silver cup -- presented at the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 -- has sold at auction for £541,000. The cup is just 15 centimetres high but beautifully decorated in the art nouveau style.
Spyros Louis (1873-1940) was presented with the cup after winning the marathon event at the inaugural Olympic Games in Athens. Even now in Greece, over 70 years after his death, his name remains a synonym for moving at speed.
Breal's silver cup sold at auction —
Spyros Louis (1873-1940) was presented with the cup after winning the marathon event at the inaugural Olympic Games in Athens. Even now in Greece, over 70 years after his death, his name remains a synonym for moving at speed.
Frenchman Michel Breal -- pictured here on the beach in St Cast, Brittany in 1897 --pressured organizers to include the marathon in the Games. As an incentive, Breal provided the special cup for the winner.
Breal's silver cup sold at auction —
Frenchman Michel Breal -- pictured here on the beach in St Cast, Brittany in 1897 --pressured organizers to include the marathon in the Games. As an incentive, Breal provided the special cup for the winner.
Spyros Louis, a retired civil servant and grandson of the great athlete, reluctantly decided to sell the cup in order to provide for his two children.
Breal's silver cup sold at auction —
Spyros Louis, a retired civil servant and grandson of the great athlete, reluctantly decided to sell the cup in order to provide for his two children.