Former IOC vice-president Kevan Gosper's Olympic collection goes under the hammer

Auction goers will be able to grab a piece of former Australian Olympian silver medallist and a vice-president of the International Olympic Committee the late Kevan Gosper’s (1933-2024) unusual Olympic memorabilia collection when it goes under the hammer at Melbourne-based Abacus Auctions forthcoming sporting memorabilia auction from 10am Friday June 26 at 29 Hardner Road, Mount Waverley.

The sporting sale is part of a larger four-day sale of stamps, postal history, militaria, coins and banknotes that begins at 10am on Thursday June 25 and finishes on Tuesday June 30.

A 400-metre runner who won silver as part of the Australian relay team at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, Gosper rose to prominence in both the sporting and business worlds after being nominated in 1977 for the International Olympic Committee and becoming both chairman and CEO of Shell Australia from 1980 to 1993.

As vice-president of the Sydney Organising Committee, he also was the driving force behind securing the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Gosper’s collection encapsulates many important moments in Olympic history, one of the most unusual items being the limited edition replica (lot 1942) of Olympic founder Baron Pierre de Coubertin’s original desk (which resides in the Olympic museum in Lausanne, Switzerland) to commemorate the centenary of the original 1896 event in Athens.

Nine hundred replicas were originally made and it is believed Gosper’s is one of few still in existence and probably the only one in Australia.

The collection includes books, photographs, programs, posters, DVDs, video, CDs, medals and various other memorabilia.

One of the more intriguing lots (1949) is the gold medallion featuring Olympic rings above the words ‘BEOGRAD ’96 and the Belgrade coat of arms below, possibly struck to commemorate Serbia’s unsuccessful bid to host the 1996 Summer Olympics held in Atlanta, Georgia.

Another is the 2000 Sydney Olympic participation medal (1947) which is being auctioned with several 1956 Melbourne Olympic programs, small country flags and souvenirs.

Olympic pins and badges from several Olympics (lot 1960) also are part of the collection including, 1948 London, 1956 Melbourne and 2000 Sydney.  

Cricket lovers will be delighted that a rare opportunity to purchase a blazer (lot 1586) from the 1948 Australian Test team, known as the Invincibles for their all-conquering record against England.

The blazer belonged to leg spinner and batsman Doug Ring (1918-2003) who played 13 Tests for Australia (scoring 426 runs and taking 35 wickets) and was part of the 1948 team. Several other Test blazers from his six-year career and his somewhat moth-eaten baggy green cap from the 1951-52 Test series (lot 1601) also are in the auction.

For music buffs, autographs, books, signed photographs and promotional album covers from industry legends such as the Rolling Stones, Abba, INXS and Status Quo are part of a 22-lot selection (1366-1388).

Of particular note is the ‘Not for Sale Promotional Copy’ Abba Arrival cover signed by all members of the group (lot 1381) and 13 books by Bob Dylan including ‘Bob Dylan – The Lyrics 1961-2012’ (lot 1383).

Michael Jackson also features with ‘History:  Past, Present and Future Book 1’ an unopened box set (lot 1385).

For the first time, Abacus Auctions is trialling the introduction of various signature basketball shoe brands and versions that have been used by star NBA basketballers such as LeBron James (lot 1490) and the late Kobe Bryant (lot 1495).