EARLY OLYMPIC MERCHANDISE: Labels from the Paris Olympics

The first games to feature the Olympic motto, the Paris games of 1924 also featured a huge marketing campaign of Luggage Labels, Poster Stamps, Stamps, Cigarette & Cigar Labels, and Posters created for the Olympiad and approved by the Olympic Committee. These fragmentary survivals include a label in the red, blue, and white of the French flag: ‘Jeux Olympiques. Paris Mai. Juin. Juillet 1924’ (15.5x9.5cm) not in Dubois’ Catalog of Olympic Labels; a little chipping to edges. And four Cigar Box Inserts (8x6cm) featuring the emblem of the 1924 Olympics, a variation on the Parisian coat of arms. The vignette in red ink features a one masted-ship with fleur-de-leis on the head of the shield. Framing the shield is blue text reading, ‘Jeux Olympics Paris 1924’. In a few weeks time the centenary Paris games will begin.