Lot 3693

Description

Tokyo 1964, XVIII Olympiad, Official Medal of the Participants, in dark bronze (61mm) engraver, Taro Okamoto, edge impressed Naigai Art Ind., in timber case of issue, back of case marked, 'W.H.Northam'; also The Tokyo Metropolitan Government, presentation medal in silver (?) (38mm), unnamed, in case of issue. Extremely fine - uncirculated. (2)

Both medals with note to indicate medals from Bill Northam Collection.

Sir William Herbert 'Bill' Northam CBE, was a prominent businessman and did not take up sailing until his late 40s. He was successful in various sailing events, notably the Sayonara Cup in 1955 and 1956. He set himself the challenge of competing in the Olympic Games and travelled to the United States, where he arranged for a naval architect to design and build him a yacht, which he named Barrenjoey after the Barrenjoey Head Lighthouse near his Sydney home. He and his team qualified for the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, despite misgivings about Northam's age, now 59. He marched in the opening ceremony with his son Rod, who was a reserve member of the rowing team. The Australian team competed in the 5.5 metre class, and ended up winning the gold medal. It was Australia's first Olympic gold for sailing, and Northam remains the oldest Australian to win an Olympic gold medal.

See also lots 3675 and 3679.