| SHIRLEY STRICKLAND DE
LA HUNTY
Born at Guildford in Perth in 1925, Shirley Strickland grew up on the wheat fields of north-eastern Western Australia. Her father, David, was a former goldfields worker who took to professional foot-racing when he was chosen to represent Australia at the Paris Olympics of 1900 subject to paying his own fares. The sadness of not being able to raise the money forced him to turn professional and on Easter Monday 1900 he won the Stawell Gift. He later pioneered farming at East Pithara. Shirley Strickland's early education was by correspondence, but she later attended Northam High School, where, beginning in 1939, she won forty-seven out of forty-nine events as a schoolgirl athlete. After high school she entered the University of Western Australia where she graduated as a Bachelor of Science with honors in physics. In her spare time, she lectured mathematics and physics to returned servicemen at Perth Technical College, played wing in the university hockey team and gained a reputation as an extremely gifted sprinter and hurdler. While teaching at Perth Technical College, Austin Robertson, a former world professional sprint champion and South Melbourne footballer coached her. She improved her 100 yards times from 11.8 to 11.0 flat. At the 1947 Western Australia state titles she won the 100 yards , 220 yards, 440 yards, the 90 yards hurdles and the shot put!
Lot A: The entire Shirley Strickland collection as described and illustrated in this catalogue may be offered as one lot. To be a recognized bidder on "Lot A" you (or your organization) must register your interest in writing no later than 48 hours before the auction. [i.e. 7.00pm E.S.T. Monday, 16th April, 2001]. No bid for Lot A will be accepted from an unregistered party. Charles Leski Auctions Pty Ltd may require a deposit or written guarantee from parties wishing to be "recognized" for bidding on Lot A. Our normal Terms & Conditions of Sale apply to all other lots offered in this catalogue.
THE EARLY YEARS
Lot 1. Group of High School & University trophies and cups (9) comprising: - N.H.S. (Northam High School), Alice Harris Cup, S.Strickland, 1938 N.H.S. Staff Cup, 1939, Champion Girl Athlete, Shirley Strickland N.H.S. Junior Chmp Girl, 1940, S.Strickland N.H.S. Staff Cup, Champion Girl Athlete, 1940, Shirley Strickland Northam High School, Alice Harris Cup 1941, S.Strickland N.H.S. 1942, Staff Cup, Shirley Strickland U.W.H.C. 1947, S.Strickland S.Strickland, Relay, Fremantle, 1947 plus one other, without engraving. & Photographs (5). $5,000 - $6,000
1934 (28 June) School Report (2 pages) WA Education Department, Correspondence Classes 1938 (12 Sept) letter from Shirley in CWA Hostel in Northam to her parents, "We had a terrible war scare this morning Britain has declared an ultimatum to Germany". 1938 (undated) letter from Shirley in CWA Hostel in Northam to her father, "My cup is down being engraved. It is free of course, and with luck I should have it to bring home with me. I don't know whether I will get other cups, I hope so." 1941 (15 Feb) WA Certificate of Merit _ Third in the 50 Yards Junior. 1943 (4 June) letter from Shirley at University to her family, mentions playing hockey and a Geology excursion. 1944 (8 June) Airgraph from University of Reading, Berkshire, UK, to Shirley, certifying that she was admitted as a student of the Institute of Physics. 1945 (25 Oct) letter from University of WA, Crawley, to Shirley, advising that the Colours Committee have awarded her a Full Blue for her performance in the 50yds, 75yds and 220yds women's events. 1946 (Sept) issue No.1 of "Scope" [A journal of science published by the science union, University of WA] with article on Cosmic Rays by S.Strickland, BSc. 1947 (Jan) WA Certificates of Merit (2) _ 1st in 100 Yards, 1st in 440 yards, 1st in 90 Yards Hurdles, 1st in 220 Yards, 1st in Discus & 2nd in Shot Put at the Western Australian Championships. 1947 (27 Jan) WA Record Certificate _ 220 Yards, Record established 25.8 Seconds. also Range of press clippings & newspaper articles. 1925 magazine "The Sphere", 1927-28 Auckland Amateur Athletic & Cycle Club, Jubilee Souvenir, Athletic Recorder & Official Programme (faults). [Note _ W.Strickland 440 yds Champion 1899-1900]. 1932 Official Programme, Xth Olympiad Los Angeles USA (cover repaired). "Deutschland Olympia Jahr 1936", signed by Shirley Strickland. "Panoramic Photographic Pictures _ Sydney & Vicinity". "The Christmas 1940 Western Mail". "Victory", magazine Volume 2 Number 3, 1944. "Victory", magazine Volume 2 Number 6, 1945. also Photographs (22), including Shirley running, hurdling and playing hockey.
$1,500 - $2,000
Lot 3. Stop watch, Swiss made by Breitung. Shirley Strickland states, "My very first trophy, 1938". Not in working order
$500 - $1,000
1948 - INCLUDING THE LONDON OLYMPIC GAMES
"The 1948 Australian Olympic Team finally numbered seventy-seven, and was managed by Edgar Tanner, aided by seven sectional managers, the swimming coach Forbes Carlisle and a chaperon, Doris Magee. The expenses of the thirty-three for whom the AOF did not have enough money in hand were raised in about three weeks by individual sports and state Olympic councils. Much later, John Winter remembered standing in a boxing ring at a stadium in Perth, being introduced to a crowd with Shirley Strickland, and both shielding their eyes and heads as two shilling donations to the Olympic fund were showered into the ring. "They hurt a bit, too", said Winter. With the exception of the ten water polo players, who sailed on the "Orion", the team became the first ever to travel by air from Australia to the Olympic Games. Three contingents made the trip, taking four days, with overnight stopovers in Singapore, Karachi and Cairo. The one way fares cost £375, against £69 by steamer, so the financially stretched AOF made the prudent decision to bring the team home by sea. So soon after the most punishing war in history, at a time when food, clothing, transport and accommodation were still in short supply, it was only to be expected that London's Olympics would be characterized by a certain austerity. As little money as possible was spent, and there was much emphasis on renovation and repair. No new stadiums were built, and the main track events were run on a temporary track, which had been spread around Wembley Stadium. There was no real Olympic village; athletes were housed in army camps and converted schoolrooms, and the Australians found themselves at one stage eating food prepared in a domestic-science classroom. They were camped first at Richmond Park, a former air force camp overlooking the Thames valley, but were later moved, against Edgar Tanner's protests, to a suburban technical school at Willesden. The transport facilities were woefully inadequate. Tanner reported afterwards that he often had to stand on roads thumbing lifts for his team in trucks, wagons and private cars, and that once a bunch of athletes had reached the main stadium by courtesy of a garbage truck. Jack Metcalfe, the athletics manager, deprived of transport to Paddington Oval, persuaded the driver of a horse and dray to take some of his boys _ "standing up in the back and waving all the way". Australia finished the Games with two gold medals (to John Winter and
Merv Wood), six silvers (to George Avery, Theo Bruce, Dick Garrard, Nancy
Lyons, John Marshall and the women's sprint relay team: Joyce King, June
Matson, Betty McKinnon and Shirley Strickland) and five bronzes (to Jim
Armstrong, Judy Joy Davies, John Marshall, and Shirley Strickland twice).
Winter, who became the only Australian ever to have won the Olympic high
jump, and Wood, It was at the London Games that the illustrious Olympic career of Shirley Strickland was launched. She was a pathfinder in a sense: the first of a line of Australian female track stars whose deeds have made a lasting impact on the Olympics, and generally overshadowed those of their male counterparts. A fine all-round athlete, she won state titles in 1947 in five events, including the shot put, but later narrowed her range to sprints and hurdles. After the 1948 national championships, she was named for all track events for women at the Olympics: the 100 metres, 200 metres, 80 metres hurdles and sprint relay. If the Games of 1948 belonged to any single athlete, that person was Fanny Blankers-Koen, a Dutch housewife and mother of two. She won gold medals in the same four events for which Shirley Strickland had entered, becoming the first woman to win the sprint double. Blankers-Koen had competed in the high jump in 1936, but reached her magnificent peak in 1948, aged thirty. At the time she held the world broad-jump and high-jump records, but IOC rules prevented her from entering more than three individual Olympic events. Without much doubt she would have won the broad jump, in which the winning distance was nearly 2 feet shorter than her record. Shirley Strickland had never run on cinders before, and had expected them to offer firm footing. "It was a bit of a letdown really", she remembered in 1992. "The surface was soft and very, very wet. I just finished up with cakes of cinders around my shoes." The 100 metres final was run in blinding rain, and Blankers-Koen won well in 11.9 seconds, with Strickland third in 12.2 seconds. Her next gold medal, in the 80 metres hurdles final, came the hard way; she was left at the start, hit a hurdle, lurched clumsily to the finish and crossed almost in a line of three, with Britain's Maureen Gardner and Australia's Strickland. As the trio waited for the result, the band struck up "God Save the Queen", and Blankers-Koen thought that meant Gardner had won. In fact the British royal family had just entered the stadium. Blankers-Koen was finally judged the winner with an Olympic record of 11.2 seconds, and Gardner was second with the same time. Strickland's time was recorded as 11.4 seconds, but this was undoubtedly a mistake, since less than a metre separated the three of them. Blankers-Koen won the 200 metres final by 7 metres, the largest margin ever recorded, and the placings were awarded to Audrey Williamson (Britain) and Audrey Patterson (USA). Strickland was placed fourth, but it was discovered nearly three decades later, in 1975, that the bronze medal should have gone to her, not to the American. The judges had not consulted the photo-finish, which showed clearly that Strickland had finished third. Advised about this, her response was characteristically sporting. She asked the Amateur Athletic Union of Australia not to take the matter further, and explained: "All those years later you could not go back and ask someone who might not have won any other medal _ when I had seven _ and ask them to give it up. You just couldn't do something like that." She ran the first leg for Australia in the 4 x 100 metres relay, and gave her team a 6-metre lead, but the leeway was gradually reduced. Fanny Blankers-Koen was fourth when she began the final leg, 2 metres behind the leader, Australia's Joyce King, but she surged through to win in the last stride. Australia, with a team that had done very little training together, finished with a silver medal, one-tenth of a second behind Holland." [from "Australia and the Olympic Games" by Harry Gordon] Lot 4. Australian Championships, 1st Medal, 90 Yds Hurdles, 11.6 Sec, 25/1/48 Australian Championships, 2nd Medal, 100 Yds, 24/1/48 Australian Championships, 2nd Medal, 220 Yds, 26/1/48 Australian Championships, 3rd Certificate, 440 Yards Relay also WA Record Certificate _ 90 Yards Hurdles in 12.5 Seconds, 3/1/48 WA Record Certificate _ 90 Yards Hurdles in 12.1 Seconds, 17/1/48 NSW Record Certificate _ 90 Yards Hurdles in 11.6 Seconds, 26/1/48 WA Record Certificate _ 100 Yards in 11.0 Seconds, 21/2/48 WA Certificate of Merit _ 1st in 100 Yards, 1st in 90 Yards Hurdles & 1st in 220 Yards at WA Championships, 21-28/2/48. also Public Schools Association of Western Australia, Official Programme, 44th Annual Athletic Meeting, Saturday, October 23rd, 1948.
$1,000 - $1,500
Lot 5. Autograph album with 56 signatures gathered by Shirley Strickland at the 1948 Australian Champ- ionships and similar events; includes Australian Olympians Doris Carter, Judy Canty & June Maston.
$500 - $1,000
Lot 6. Album of photographs (54), with Shirley at various Athletics meetings and representing WA in the 1948 "Miss Australia" contest; and press clippings. "The Illustrated London News, Christmas Number 1948" (2).
$500 - $1,000
Lot 7. 1948 London Olympics, Australian Team Blazer, with Australian Coat-of-Arms & "OLYMPIC GAMES 1948" embroidered on pocket, S.Strickland name on tag inside. Important and extremely rare. Two buttons missing, and a couple of minor holes. also Group of photographs, (17) - Shirley modeling the Australian uniform (14), plus The Australian girls all wearing their blazers in Sydney prior to leaving for London; Shirley wearing her 1948 Olympics blazer at the 1950 Empire Games in Auckland NZ; Shirley wearing her 1948 Olympics blazer at the 1955 Warsaw International Games. also, Press clippings (3) showing Australians with their 1948 Olympic blazers.
$5,000 - $10,000
Lot 8. Malayan 10c Banknote with signatures of 21 Australian Olympians on front & reverse, noted Joyce King, Ray Tood, Judy Canty & Tom Darcy on front; George Knott, Bruce Goswell, Doris Magee, Kevin Hallett, Wal Lambert, Hugh Lambie, Garrick Agnew, Bruce Bourke, John Davies, B.Nancy Lyons, Colin Douglas-Smith, Marjorie McQuade, Judy Joy Davies, John Marshall, & Betty McKinnon. The first overnight stop of the aircraft taking the team to England was at Singapore. $500 - $1,000
Lot 9. Australian Olympic Games Team, London 1948, official team photograph with names printed on mount (tone spots on mount). also Range of photographs (15), and press clippings of the Australian team's pre & post-Olympics athletic meetings in London & Amsterdam. also Folder containing photographs (10) of Norway, which Shirley visited after the 1948 London Olympics.
$500 - $1,000
Lot 10. 1948 Olympic Games group of letters, documents & related publications; includes: -
1948 (7 Feb) letter from Country Women's Association to Shirley, congratulating her on Olympic Games selection. 1948 (29 May) Programme for Australian Olympic and Combined Universities Invitation Meet at Sydney University Oval. 1948 (8 June) Airletter from Harry Hopman, congratulating Shirley on her Olympic selection, and asking her questions on her training, and inviting her to play tennis. 1948 (26 June) postcard from Shirley in Darwin to Laurie de la Hunty (her future husband) in Perth, saying goodbye just prior to her departure. 1948 (23 July) letter from Shirley in London to her family, mentions her results in the Pre-Olympics races, sightseeing, arrival of athletes of every nationality. 1948 (13-16 Aug) Programme for Visit to Northern Ireland of the Australian Olympic Athletic Team. 1948 (18 Aug) letter from C.Lee to Shirley, enclosing a watercolour picture of Shirley, Maureen and the Duke of Edinburgh. 1948 (8 Sept) aerogramme from Shirley in Norway to her mother, describing her visit to that country. 1948 (27 Sept) postcard from Shirley in London to her parents, describing her visit to Scotland. 1948 (30 Sept) Programme from the Royal Opera House Covent Garden for a performance of "The Magic Flute", attended by some of the Australian Team. Luggage label inscribed "Well done Shirley/ From Tilbury Dockers/ No.2 Hatch". 1948 (4 Nov) Dinner Menu from the P&O S.S. "Maloja", signed by the Captain and crew. 1949 (20 Dec) letter from Harrow UK to Shirley's mother, enclosing two press photographs of Shirley at St.Pancras Railway Station. also Shirley Strickland's hand-annotated "Olympic Programme". also "Athletics for Women" by Lt.Col.F.A.M.Webster [London, c1947] Olympic Games London 1948, map published by London Transport. Programmes for Athletics on 4th August & Swimming on 7th August. "Olympic Games Athletics' Pictorial Souvenir", signed by Shirley Strickland. "Olympic Games London 1948 Official Souvenir" (faults), signed by Shirley Strickland. "Australia at the Olympic Games London 1948" by Edgar Tanner. "World Sports" magazine, June 1948, signed by Shirley Strickland. "World Sports" magazine, August 1948, signed by Shirley Strickland. "World Sports" magazine, September 1948, signed by Shirley Strickland. "XIV Olympic Games 1948 Results and Records". "Coming Events" magazine, September 1948. "Australia" magazine, April 1948. "Australia" magazine, May 1948. "Australia" magazine, June 1948. "The British Australasian" magazine, May 15, 1948. "The Western Mail", magazine, March 18, 1948. also Collection of photographs (38), press clippings & newspapers.
$1,500 - $2,000
Lot 11. 1948 Olympics Identity Card for Shirley Strickland.
$1,000 - $2,000
Lot 12. New Testament with "Olympic Games/ London 1948" imprinted on front cover. Shirley Strickland's personal copy.
$250 - $500
Lot 13. "British Olympic Association, Official Report of the London Olympic Games 1948", signed by Shirley Strickland.
$250 - $500
Lot 14. 1948 London Olympics Participation Medal, in bronze, designed by Bertram Mackennal & John Pinches, minted by John Pinches Ltd of London, 51mm diameter. also "British Olympic Association Official Report of the London Olympic Games 1948", signed by Shirley Strickland. also Group of photographs (2), press clippings & newspapers.
$1,000 - $1,500
Lot 15. 1948 London Olympics, Bronze Medal awarded to Shirley Strickland for Third place in the 100 metres, in original presentation case. Designed by Giusseppi Cassioli, minted by John Pinches Ltd of London, 51mm diameter. also Olympic Games London, Diploma (57x44cm) inscribed "S.B.Strickland, Australia. Athletics: 3rd, 100 metres _ women", and signed by J.S.Edstrom, President of International Olympic Committee; Viscount Portal of Laverstoke, President of the Games & Lord Burghley, Chairman of Organising Committee. also Photographs (7) of Shirley winning the 2nd Heat of the women's 100 metres. Photographs (2) of Shirley coming second to Fanny Blankers-Koen in Heat 1 of the 100 metres Semi- finals. Photographs (2) of Shirley winning the Bronze medal behind Fanny Blankers-Koen of Netherlands & D.Manley of GB. Photograph of the awards ceremony with the three placegetters receiving their medals on the dais in the pouring rain. also Collection of press clippings relating to the 100 metres (mostly collected by Shirley's mother).
$10,000 - $15,000
Lot 16. 1948 London Olympics, Bronze Medal awarded to Shirley Strickland for Third place in the 80 metres Hurdles, in original presentation case. Designed by Giusseppi Cassioli, minted by John Pinches Ltd of London, 51mm diameter. also Olympic Games London, Diploma (57x44cm) inscribed "S.B.Strickland, Australia. Athletics: 3rd, 80 metres hurdles _ women", and signed by J.S.Edstrom, President of International Olympic Committee; Viscount Portal of Laverstoke, President of the Games & Lord Burghley, Chairman of Organising Committee. also Photographs (6) of the 80 metres Hurdles final. Photo-finish photograph of the 80 metres Hurdles, showing Shirley winning the Bronze medal behind Fanny Blankers-Koen of Netherlands & M.Gardner of Great Britain. Photographs (2) of the awards ceremony with the three placegetters receiving their medals on the dais from J.S.Edstrom, President of the Games. also Official Programme for Athletics, Wednesday 4th August 1948, with message inside "Congratulations Shirley on a marvelous run, Jack Metcalfe". also Collection of press clippings & newspapers relating to the 80 metres Hurdles. also 1980 (28 Mar) letter from Geoff Dyson (Coach to 1952, 1956 & 1960 British Olympic Teams) to Shirley, enclosing a photograph of her receiving this Bronze medal.
$10,000 - $15,000 Lot 17. Olympic Games London, Diploma (57x44cm) inscribed "S.B.Strickland, Australia. Athletics: 4th, 200 metres _ women", and signed by J.S.Edstrom, President of International Olympic Committee; Viscount Portal of Laverstoke, President of the Games & Lord Burghley, Chairman of Organising Committee. also Photograph of the 200 metres Semi-final, with Shirley running a dead heat for first with A.D.Williamson of Great Britain. Photograph of Shirley signing autographs for fans after her dead heat for first place in the 200 metre semi-finals. also Collection of press clippings relating to the 200 metres. also Photocopy of "Athletics Weekly", April 3rd 1976, with contoversial article "Olympic Judges Erred in 1948, Photo finish reveals Shirley Strickland deprived of medal", the article including the photo-finish showing posi tions 2, 3 and 4 in the women's 200m final also 1997 (7 Aug) letter from Australian Olympic Committee to Shirley, regarding a request by the ATSF (Association of Track and Field Statisticians), who had discovered Shirley Strickland actually finished 3rd in the women's 200 metres, and their feeling that Australia should make a submission to the IOC and set the record straight. Together with copy of the 1997 (19 July) letter from the ATSF to the Australian Olympic Federation and a photocopy of the photofinish, and a draft of Shirley's letter of reply to the AOC. also 1998 (4 Mar) letter from Australian Olympic Committee to Shirley, advising that after exhaustive enquir ies the AOC regret to advise that they have not achieved the outcome they had hoped for. "The current policy of the IOC is to accept the ruling of the judge who officiated at the event".
$2,000 - $4,000
Lot 18. 1948 London Olympics, Silver Medal awarded to Shirley Strickland for 2nd place in the 400 metres Relay (4 x 100m), in original presentation case. Designed by Giusseppi Cassioli, minted by John Pinches Ltd of London, (51mm diameter). also Olympic Games London, Diploma (57x44cm) inscribed "S.B.Strickland, Australia. Athletics: 2nd, 400 metres Relay _ women (4 x 100M)", and signed by J.S.Edstrom, President of International Olympic Committee; Viscount Portal of Laverstoke, President of the Games & Lord Burghley, Chairman of Organising Committee. also Photograph of the victory ceremony for the 400 metres Relay, showing the Dutch, Australian and Irish teams. also Official Programme for Athletics, Saturday 7th August 1948. also Collection of press clippings & a newspaper relating to the 400 metres Relay.
$15,000 - $20,000
Lot 19. Shirley Strickland's competitors numbers, "668", that were sewn onto her running outfit during the 1948 Olympics. Three numbers, each 32x19cm, one still mud splattered from the 100 metres final run in the pouring rain. also Photographs (2) of Shirley wearing the number "668" whilst competing in the 100 metres and the 80 metres Hurdles. Also, a range of press clippings and a newspaper.
$1,000 - $2,000
Lot 20. Shirley Strickland's 1948 London Olympics running shorts, made from white satin with green and yellow stripes down each leg. Fastened with two buttons on each hip. Some minor faults and wear.
$1,000 -$2,000
Lot 21. Shirley Strickland's brown running shoes (spikes), used at 1948 London Olympics, made of Tasmanian wallaby to fit EACH foot individually, by Sweeney of Melbourne. Shirley has commented, "This shoemaker deserves some award for his contribution and careful service to many of our previous top athletic performers, both amateur and professional of the day. No commercial footwear for sprinters comes close to his. Note the reduced tongues and light limited laces, all to reduce weight on the foot _ Archimedes principle. I never wore socks. Lacing changed in 1952 when I realized that cross-lacing did not easily distribute even pressure across the foot. I also unlaced my shoes after the race and often walked back barefoot. Reason _ to protect the beautiful toe speed balance of my shoes."
$4,000 - $6,000
Lot 22. The Trowel used by Shirley Strickland to dig starting holes, prior to the advent of starting blocks.
$250 - $500
Lot 23. Set of 6 tea spoons with the London Olympics badge on the handle, plus another set of 6 tea spoons with the Crest of the City of London on the handle, purchased as souvenirs by Shirley during the London Olympics. also Photograph, press clippings, newspaper & magazines (2).
$250 - $500
Lot 24. Scarf "Olympic Winners of XVth Olympiad London 1948", printed with the results of all events at the conclusion of the 1948 Olympics. Very attractive and informative souvenir, which Shirley bought as a present for her father. also Photographs (5), negatives (2) and press clippings of Shirley displaying this scarf on her return home from the Olympics. Also few other press clippings, a newspaper & a magazine.
$500 - $1,000
Lot 25. Similar 1948 Olympics Scarf given to Shirley as a gift. Photograph of Shirley and her mother with the scarf on her return from the 1948 London Olympics.
$400 - $800
Lot 26. 1948 (17 Nov) invitation to "Welcome Home" for Shirley Strickland, Dr.Charles Green & Garrick Agnew from the Mayor and Councilors of Subiaco. These three athletes comprised the entire WA contingent selected for the 1948 London Olympics. Original mss of speech given by Shirley Strickland at the "Welcome Home", hand-written on 3 pages of P&O "Maloja" letterhead. also Superb hand-coloured photographic display, "Australian Olympic Representatives, Olympic Games England 1948. These representatives were citizens of the Subiaco Municipality at the time of selection. Miss Shirley Strickland, Dr.Charles Green, John Winter, Garrick Agnew", with portraits of each and another of the lighting of the Olympic flame. Inscribed in pencil at lower right "Compiled and coloured by Lafayette Dease, Perth". Framed and glazed, overall 31x26cm. Extremely attractive. also Photograph of Shirley at the "Welcome Home", plus range of press clippings.
$1,000 - $2,000
1949 - INCLUDING THE BLANKERS-KOEN/STRICKLAND TOUR OF AUSTRALIA
Controversy raged for Shirley Strickland during 1949. The year opened with her considering working in the UK, and during the early months she received several letters from London regarding employment.
The Dutch champion, Fanny Blankers-Koen, and her husband arrived in Australia for an exhibition tour during January and February. Shirley had accepted an offer to tour all States with the Blankers-Koens, but was initially hampered by a heavy financial request and a slow return to form. However, Shirley and her coach, Austin Robertson, were determined to race the Dutch champion. Their first meeting was in Melbourne on 22nd January in front of a crowd of 30,000 at the MCG. Fanny Blankers-Koen won the 100yds in 11.4 seconds, a Victorian record; won the 80m Hurdles in 11.7 seconds with Shirley Strickland in a dead heat for 2nd; and won the High Jump with a leap of 4'11". The next meeting was at Perth on 29th January. The 100yds was a sensation with Fanny Blankers-Koen falling near the tape with 18-year-old Verna Johnson and Shirley Strickland ahead of her. It was Fanny's first defeat since August 1946 in Oslo. Despite her badly skinned knee, Mrs Blankers-Koen easily won the 80 metres hurdles in the Australian record time of 11.5 seconds, and also won the High jump with 4'10". Nearly 30,000 people attended the athletic carnival at the Brisbane Exhibition Ground on 3rd February. Shirley was devastated that Fanny Blankers-Koen refused to run against her and gave exhibitions only. Strickland and Queenslander Daphne Welch (later, Pirie) gave the public a great thrill in a 100 yards handicap race, won by the local youngster in a photo finish. Amid headlines screaming "Olympic Star is Scrubbed", it was disclosed that Shirley had been refused her expenses and had been chasing the Flying Dutchwoman all over Australia at her own expense. Fanny's next appearance was in Sydney on 5th February. In the 100 metres she was defeated by the brilliant Lithgow junior, Marjorie Jackson, in a new Australian record of 11.8. After a spell, Blankers-Koen came out and electrified the crowd with three Australian records of her own - 11.4 seconds in the 80 metres hurdles, and in the shot put, 34'5½" & then 34'10". Meanwhile, back in Brisbane, Shirley ran alone after a local ban, clocking 11.3 seconds in the 100 yards, and 12.0 seconds in the 80 metres hurdles. Shirley flew into Sydney with a clearance to run and an agreement from the NSW Association to pay her expenses. On 9th February at Hurstville Oval the two great rivals met over the 80 metres hurdles, Fanny winning in a new Australian record of 11.3 seconds. However, Fanny withdrew from the other events on the programme. In the 100 yards, 17 year-old Marjorie Jackson won in 11.2 seconds, scoring by inches from Shirley Strickland. Shirley then took the 220 yards title in 25.5 seconds. Fanny Blankers-Koen's final appearance was at Sydney on 12th February. In another sensation she pulled up in the 100 yards after stumbling in a shallow hole. The race was won by Marjorie Jackson ahead of Olympians Shirley Strickland and June Maston. Later in the afternoon she won the 80 metres hurdles from Shirley Strickland, tied for the discus title and took part in an invitational 440 Yards Relay _ the Olympic team versus New South Wales and Lithgow. The tour had been a financial success, with excellent crowds and plenty of media coverage, but it had also raised controversies regarding appearance money and compensation, accusations of professionalism and concern over gambling on races. In hindsight, it gave a great boost to women's athletics, and almost certainly played a part in Australia's success in women's athletics over the next few Olympics.
Lot 27. 1949 (4 Jan) letter from Ministry of Supply in London to Mr.W.H. Coulson at Australia House in London regarding the possibility of employing Shirley in the Ministry of Supply. 1949 (22 Jan) letter from Frank S.Cotton (Professor of Physiology at Sydney University) to Shirley, staggered by her performance in the 440 yds and urging her to contact him. 1949 (16 Feb) letter from Canberra House in London to Shirley, regarding possible employment with ICI, GEC or the Ministry of Supply. 1949 (7 Mar) letter from Canberra House in London to Shirley, regarding an offer of employment at Clarendon Laboratory at Oxford University. 1949 (27 April) letter from Frank S.Cotton, Professor of Physiology at Sydney University to Shirley, regarding the gathering of data related to heredity, longevity, etc. 1949 (2 May) copy of letter from R.F.Halliday of National Fitness Council in response to newspaper comment on Shirley Strickland's connection with the Eureka Youth League. 1949 (13 July) letter from Edgar Tanner of the Australian Olympic Federation to Shirley, thanking her for the manner in which she had represented her country abroad with the Australian 1948 Olympic Games Team. 1949 (12 Aug) postcard to Shirley from Dolly in Oslo, Norway. "The Illustrated London News, Christmas Number 1949". Song sheet with words and music to "Hello! Beautiful One", with some of the lyrics changed in pen to incorporate "Shirley Strickland". also Group of photographs (16) and press clippings.
$1,500 - $2,000
Lot 28. The Fanny Blankers-Koen tour: a group of important letters & related documents: - 1949 (21 Jan) Telegram from Gwen Bull (Secretary, Western Australia Women's Amateur Athletic Association) to Shirley in Melbourne, granting her permission to compete. 1949 (22 Jan) Telegram from her mother to Shirley, "All West Australia with you all the way". 1949 (22 Jan) Telegram from the Mastons to Shirley at the MCG, "Best of luck we're all behind you". (June Maston won Silver with Shirley in the 4x100m Relay at London) 1949 (22 Jan) Telegram from Mollie Skinner to Shirley at MCG, "Splendid to compete Good luck". 1949 (24 Jan) Telegram from Gwen Bull (WAWAAA) in Perth to Shirley in Melbourne, "Very pleased with news. Think advisable [you] miss Adelaide. Please wire me return date. Appreciate information and shall act accordingly". Souvenir Programme for the Fanny Blankers-Koen Australian Tour in Perth, Saturday 29th January 1949. 1949 (31 Jan) Telegram from Arthur Postle to Dave Strickland, granting permission for Shirley to compete in Brisbane. 1949 (1 Feb) receipt for the purchase of a print of the Daily News photograph "Fall of a Favourite". 1949 (3 Feb) Telegram to her father from Shirley in Brisbane, "Blankers refused run Fany (sic) Hundred or Against me Hurdles. She gave exhibitions only. My time under 11.2. Feeling fine. Can tell papers." 1949 (11 Feb) copy of letter from Denton Rees (President of Queensland Amateur Athletic Association) to Shirley in Sydney, enclosing copy of a letter he has sent to G.Lush of "Sunday Sun", and advising that he is arranging to send her a cheque for the plane fare from Brisbane to Sydney. 1949 (8 Feb) copies (2) of a letter from Denton Rees to G.Lush of "Sunday Sun", reads "in fairness to Shirley Strickland, I want to give you some of the facts pertaining to her appearance in Brisbane last Wednesday night." 1949 (12 Feb) Invitation to a Farewell Ball to Mrs Fanny Blankers Koen at White City Ballroom, Rushcutters Bay, signed on reverse by Fanny Blankers-Koen and two others. 1949 (late Feb) letter from Y.D.Spittles (Secretary QWAAA) to Shirley, responding to Shirley's letter "I would like to point out that no permission was applied for or granted you by our Association to compete on Feb.5th". 1949 (3 Mar) letter from Doris Magee (Secretary Australian Women's Amateur Athletic Union), "Following a complaint lodged by the Queensland Women's AAA. it is necessary for you to avoid misunderstandings in future by always making arrangements through your local Women's Association and not privately". 1949 (14 Mar) draft of a 4-page letter from Shirley to Y.D.Spittles, Secretary of QWAAA, forcefully defending herself against Miss Spittles' complaints against her. 1949 (22 Mar) personal letter from Betty Beazley (President AWAAU _ and mother of Kim Beazley) in Canberra to Shirley, "With this is an official letter which will explain to you that, quite unwillingly, you have been the cause of protracted negotiations", also congratulates Shirley on her successful NZ trip, and mentions the birth of her son "Kim Chris is a fine little fellow. He was 9lbs 5ozs at birth _ a big weight seeing 7½lbs is normal but it all went in long, firm limbs & not extra fat. He has pro- gressed well & is a happy, rosy, blue-eyed, fair skinned, sociable little fellow of three months now". 1949 (22 Mar) long official letter from Betty Beazley (President AWAAU) to Shirley, quoting from a long succession of letters and telegrams and tracing the whole history of the incident from 29th Decem- ber 1948 to the date of her letter, and ending with her rulings: - "1. A letter be sent to the Queensland Mens Association requesting them not to make arrangements concerning Women Athletes without first consulting the Women's Athletic Association. 2. A letter be sent to Miss Shirley Strickland asking her to avoid misunderstandings in future by always making arrangements through her local Women's Association and not privately." 1949 (1 April) letter from Denton Rees (President QAAA) to Shirley, enclosing copies of his letters dated 8th & 11th February in case she had not received them, outlining discussions he had had with Mr.Weir, President of the AAU regarding the Brisbane incident, and mentioning her father's athletic career and the Stawell Gift. also Photographs (29), from the Fanny Blankers-Koen tour with some sensational shots of Fanny's fall in Perth. also Collection of press clippings in drawing book, one page with signature of Fanny Blankers-Koen, plus large collection of loose press clippings. also Silver cup, engraved "NSWAAA, 220 Yards, S.Strickland, 1st, 25.4 Sec., 9.2.49" Silver cup, engraved "NSWAAA, 100 Yards, S.Strickland, 2nd, 12.2.49"
Many important and unique documents.
$3,000 - $5,000
1949 - The Australian Athletic Team Tour to New Zealand
During February and March 1949 a team of 9 Australian athletes was invited to tour New Zealand. The Team comprised Shirley Strickland and 8 male athletes: - Dave White, E. Strickland, Peter Mullins, G. Avery, Edwin Carr, G. Goodacre, Morris Curotta, J. Marks & E.W. "Slip" Carr. It was a very grueling tour with Shirley competing in 34 races in a month.
Lot 29. Official Programme, Canterbury Amateur Athletic Association, Australian Visit, Lancaster Park, Wednesday, 2nd March, 1949. 1949 (23 Mar) letter from A.R.Cutler, High Commissioner for Australia in NZ, to Shirley, "I am glad to hear that you had an interesting time, and I have heard on all sides, that you and the men athletes were very popular in New Zealand". 1949 (21 June) letter from Harland Charters, Photographer in New Plymouth to Mr.Strickland, enclosing a photograph of Shirley "We consider it a fine portrait of a fine stamp of a girl". "NZ Sportswoman" magazine, 8 issues from 1949 (some silverfish damage to covers). "Ardmore College 1949, Calender and Prospectus". also Silver trophy, engraved "Hamilton 1949" with "NZ" on fern leaf at base. also An album of photographs (118), from the New Zealand Tour. also Collection of press clippings from the New Zealand Tour.
$2,000 - $4,000
1948-49 - Eureka Youth League Controversy
In August 1948 Shirley was accused of being a Communist after an article appeared in the official Communist newspaper, the "Tribune", stating "Bevin (British Foreign Minister) banned the sports writer of a progressive Italian paper from the Olympic Games. But he didn't wake up to the fact that the Australian champion, Shirley Strickland, was a member of the W.A. Eureka Youth League. Or maybe Bevin just wasn't fast enough". The Australian papers were quick to investigate this claim, with a story appearing in the "West Australian" under the headline "COMMUNIST STORY, Miss Strickland and Eureka League", however the story included an explanation from her parents and a statement from R.E.Halliday, Director of Physical Education and National Fitness, that "Miss Strickland had been trained as a physical instructressAny assistance given by her to the Eureka Youth League would be in the nature of a voluntary effort to assist a youth club. It was grossly unfair to try to pin political affiliations of the nature imputed on a young woman because she had helped a youth club." In February 1949 there were further front page newspaper stories alleging that the Eureka Youth League of WA had financed Shirley Strickland's tour to the Eastern States to compete against Fanny Blankers-Koen. An article, "Communist Party Aided By `Cover-Up' Members", by Cecil Sharpley in April 1949 included a picture of Shirley with the caption "Shirley Strickland, non-Communist member of the Eureka Youth League", and an authoritative expose of the Eureka Youth League as a Communist front. A few days later Shirley's letter to the editor was published, "Sir, Cecil Sharpley, in his recent articles in The Herald, stated that I was a `non-Communist member of the Eureka Youth League.' I wish to say that I am not a Communist and never have been one; and that since 1945 when I relinquished my position as physical culture instructress with the club, I have not been associated with it and know nothing of any change in its policy or activities." This reply goes on, "With her letter Miss Strickland attached a copy of a letter from R.E.Halliday, Director of the National Fitness Council of Western Australia. This says that the council allotted Miss Strickland to the EYL in 1945 as a leader in physical education, when she became a member. The same year she retired from the work."
Lot 30. 1944 (19 Oct) Shirley Strickland's original Trained Leader's Certificate from the National Fitness Council of Western Australia. 1948 (16 Aug) hand-written press statement from R.E.Halliday (Director of Physical Education and National Fitness of WA) that was published in the article "COMMUNIST STORY, Miss Strickland and the Eureka Youth League". 1949 (2 May) long signed statement from R.E.Halliday, explaining the circumstances of Shirley's connection with the Eureka Youth League. 1953 (8 June) letter from W. English of the National Fitness Council of WA to Shirley's mother, enclosing another signed copy of Mr Halliday's statement of May 1949. also Press clippings related to the Eureka Youth League. $1,000 - $1,500
1950 - including the British Empire Games at Auckland
The Australian Track and Field Championships were held in Adelaide from Saturday 31st December 1949 to Saturday 7th January 1950, and Shirley won 5 medals: - 1st in the 80metres hurdles in 11.7 seconds, 1st in the 440 yds in an Australian record of 57.4 seconds; and 2nd in the 100 yds, 220 yds and 4 x 110 yds Relay [see lot 31]. Marjorie Jackson won the sprint double, and in winning the 100yds in 10.8 seconds equaled the world record of Fanny Blankers-Koen. At the British Empire Games in Auckland, New Zealand, in February, Shirley won three gold medals, in the 80 metres hurdles, 440 yards relay and 660 yards relay; and silver medals in the 100 yards & 220 yards sprints behind Marjorie Jackson. On her return to Australia, Shirley competed in the NSW Championships and an invitation meet with the Adelaide Harriers, then touring Tasmania and gaving a great boost to athletics in that State. At the end of the year she went back to New Zealand for the Canterbury Centennial Games, where she turned the tables on Jackson by winning both sprints.
Lot 31. Shirley Strickland's 1950 Australian Championship medals (5), comprising: Australian Championships, 1st Medal, S.Strickland, WA, 80 metres Hurdles, 11.7 secs, 7.1.50 Australian Championships, 1st Medal, S.Strickland, WA, 440 yds, 57.4 secs, 4.1.50 Australian Championships, 2nd Medal, S.Strickland, WA, 100 Yds, 4.1.50 Australian Championships, 2nd Medal, S.Strickland, WA, 220 Yds, 7.1.50 Australian Championships, 2nd Medal, WA, 4x110 Yds Relay, 4.1.50
$2,000 - $4,000
Lot 32. 1950 Awards & Record Certificates, comprising: Silver cup, NSWWAAA, S.Strickland, 1st, 80m hurdles, 11.6s, 1950 NSW Championship Certificate, 3rd Place, 100 yards, 18.2.50 Trophy with Adelaide crest on base, engraved "Adelaide Harriers to S.Strickland, 21.2.50" Trophy, Silver sugar bowl, engraved "WAWAAA, 1950, S.Strickland, 1st 75 yds H'dcp" also Australian Record Certificates (2) _ 440 Yards in 57.4 seconds, 4th Jan.1950 WA Record Certificate _ 220 Yards in 25.6 seconds, 21st Jan.1950 Australian Record Certificate _ 440 Yards Relay in 47.7 seconds, 13th Feb.1950 NSW Record Certificate _ 440 Yards Relay in 47.7 seconds, 18th Feb.1950 WA Record Certificate _ 80 Metres Hurdles in 11.4 seconds, 9th Dec.1950
$1,000 - $2,000 Lot 33. 1950 letters, printed documents & photographs, etc., comprising: Official Programme, Australian Amateur Track and Field Games Championships, Adelaide Oval, Saturday 31st December 1949 and Monday 2nd January 1950, with 7 signatures on the front cover including Verna Johnston & Gwen Mothershaw. Programmes (2), SA Women's Amateur Athletic Association, Australian Championships, Norwood Oval, Wednesday 4th January 1950, Saturday 7th January 1950, in one Shirley has added her initials to the starters in the heats of the 100 yards & 220 yards. 1950 (5 Jan) long and informative letter from Shirley at the YWCA in North Adelaide to her parents, reporting on her progress at the Australian Championships, "Straight after that (15 mins) came the 440 final. Gwen asked me to save myself for the relay to follow; I drew the right outside lane, so I set out not knowing where I was. I went fairly fast for 300 yards without seeing any of the others, then felt a bit breathless so slackened up, not wanting to pass out before I reached the tape. Then I got my second wind and started to sprint. Imagine my surprise to find I'd won and an Aust. Record too. I never saw one of the other competitors, just shadows flicking up in front of me as we passed lights I haven't been training for the 440 at all, haven't run one since 1946 Championships, and this one was only to give me a jog." 1950 (18 Mar) advertising poster for Shirley Strickland's appearance at York Park in Launceston. 1950 (April) issue of "National Fitness Youth Club News" 1950 (17-23 May) souvenirs (10) printed at Mid Century Advertising Exhibition in Perth, featuring Shirley Strickland, Verna Johnston, Wally Langdon & Sonny Maffina. 1950 (30 May) letter from Lil Neville in Melbourne to Shirley, advising that Shirley's visit to Tasmania had resulted in the formation of two Women's Athletic Clubs, "Who knows we might have them competing in next Aust Champs". 1950 (27 Oct) programmes (2) for WASSASA Girls High Schools Programme, Seventeenth Annual Athletic Carnival at Subiaco Oval. 1950 (24 Nov) official programmes (2) Amateur Athletic & Cycling Carnival at Fremantle Oval. 1950 (19 Dec) postcard wishing Shirley Happy Christmas from two of her students in Murrin Murrin. 1982 (11 Feb) letter from Michael Taliangis to Shirley, enclosing photographs of Shirley at the 1950 Australian Championships. also "Sporting Life" magazine, October 1950. "World Sports" magazine, August 1950. also Album of photographs (63), with Shirley at various Athletics meetings and during her tour of Tasmania. Collection of press clippings.
$3,000 - $4,000
Lot 34. 1950 Empire Games Autograph Album, specially produced for Competitors and Officials British Empire Games, "Presented to Shirley Strickland of the Australian Athletic Team" on inside front cover, with signatures of 167 athletes.
$1,000 - $2,000
Lot 35. 1950 Empire Games group: - "British Empire Games, New Zealand, Auckland, 1950, Official Souvenir". "Athletic News", February 11th, 1950. Map of Auckland showing IVth Empire Games venues. Official Programme, Athletics, First Day, Saturday 4th February. Official Programme, Athletics, Third Day, Thursday 9th February Souvenir Programme, Taiporutu Club of Rotorua also "The Story of the British Empire Games" by Organizing Committee for the 1950 British Empire Games [Auckland, 1950] "Australia at the British Empire Games 1911 to 1950" by James Eve, signed by Shirley Strickland. "New Zealand's National All-Sports Monthly, Empire Games Souvenir Number", March 1950, signed by Shirley Strickland. "The Evening Star", newspapers (2) from Dunedin, dated February 6, 1950. "New Zealand Free Lance" newspapers (3) dated 8th, 15th & 22nd February, 1950. "The New Zealand Herald", newspaper, dated February 15, 1950. "The Weekly News", newspaper from Auckland, dated February 22, 1950. "The Chronicle", newspaper from Adelaide, dated February 16, 1950.
$500 - $1,000
Lot 36. 1950 Empire Games related letters: - 1950 (5 Feb) Airletter from Frank S.Cotton (Professor of Physiology) in Sydney to Shirley at the Empire Games in Auckland, thrilled to hear of her win in the heat & semifinal, and "I am hoping for good news in the hurdles, this reminds me _ I have some exceptionally encouraging facts to tell you about increasing the flexibility of the body (for hurdles etc) which I forgot to mention in our talk, also there is definite certainty of improving the speed of reaction time in starting, with special exercises". 1950 (7 Feb) Airletter from Frank S.Cotton to Shirley in Auckland, "The news came over this afternoon about your record win in the 220 yds semifinalI am very intrigued to know whether you ran the race with accelerating effort". [Also included is a biography of Frank S.Cotton]. 1950 (15 Feb) letter from Mayor of Subiaco to Shirley, congratulating her upon representing Australia at the Empire Games and adding to her record an Empire Games Championship title. 1950 (1 Mar) letter from Western Australia Women's Hockey Association to Shirley, offering congratulations on her recent success at the Empire Games. 1950 (16 Feb) registered letter from Yvonne in Sydney to Shirley, enclosing a pile of press clippings from the Sydney papers.
$1,000 - $1,500
Lot 37. 1950 Empire Games Photographs (32), including two large team photographs, one showing the athletes wearing their blazers, the other showing the athletes in their competition outfits; another photograph shows Shirley signing the special autograph book. also Collection of press clippings.
$1,000 - $1,500
Lot 38. 1950 Empire Games, Australian Team Blazer, with Australian Coat-of-Arms & "BRITISH EMPIRE GAMES/ AUCKLAND 1950/ ATHLETICS" embroidered on pocket, S.Strickland name on tag inside. Few moth holes, otherwise very attractive & rare. also Photographs (2) & press clippings (3) of Shirley wearing her blazer. Official Programme, British Empire Games, Auckland 1950, Athletics, First Day, Saturday 4th February.
$2,500 - $5,000
Lot 39. 1950 British Empire Games, Silver Medal awarded to Shirley Strickland for Second place in the 100 Yards, in original presentation case. also Official Programme, Athletics, First Day, Saturday 4th February. also Collection of press clippings relating to the 100 Yards.
The 100 Yards was held on the first day of the Games. Marjorie Jackson won the first heat equaling the world record of 10.8 sec. Shirley won the second heat in 10.9 sec & Verna Johnson won the third heat in 11.1 seconds. The semi-finals were won by Marjorie Jackson & Shirley Strickland in 10.9 seconds. Marjorie Jackson again equaled the world record in the final, with Shirley Strickland second and Verna Johnson third, giving Australia a clean sweep.
$2,500 - $5,000
Lot 40. 1950 British Empire Games, Silver Medal awarded to Shirley Strickland for Second place in the 220 Yards, in original presentation case. also Official Programme, Athletics, Third Day, Thursday 9th February. Photograph of the 220 Yards final (some faults). also Collection of press clippings relating to the 220 Yards.
The heats and semi-finals of the 220 Yards were held on the second day of the Athletics. Marjorie Jackson won the first heat in 24.8 seconds, reducing the NZ record from 25.6 seconds; Shirley Strickland won the second heat in 25.3 sec & D. Robb of South Africa won the third heat in 25.0 seconds. The Semi-finals were won by Marjorie Jackson in 24.9 sec and Shirley Strickland in 24.6 seconds, further lowering the NZ record. The final was the first event on the third day of Athletics. Marjorie Jackson cleared away from the field to win in 24.3 seconds _ equalling the Polish, Stella Walasiewicz's world record and completing a splendid sprints double. Shirley Strickland was second in 24.5 sec and D. Robb third in 24.7 seconds.
$2,500 - $5,000
Lot 41. 1950 British Empire Games, Gold Medal awarded to Shirley Strickland for First place in the 80 Metres Hurdles, in original presentation case. also Official Programme, Athletics, Third Day, Thursday 9th February. Photograph of 1st Heat of 80 metres Hurdles. Photograph of Final of 80 metres Hurdles. Photograph of the three placegetters in 80 metres Hurdles final. also Collection of press clippings relating to the 80 Metres Hurdles.
The heats of the 80 metres hurdles were also held on the third day of the Athletics, with the final about an hour later. In the first heat Miss Strickland and the New Zealanders Schoch and Shackleton, raced together virtually from the first hurdle. They cleared the last jump in line, but Shirley had slightly superior pace in the run to the line. The time for all the placegetters was the same _ 11.4 sec which lowered the previous Empire Games record by three-tenths of a second. The 2nd heat was won by Gourlay of NZ in 11.5 sec, followed by Fletcher of NZ and Stadler of Australia. Shirley scored a well-deserved victory in the 80 metres hurdle final. She broke and then when the field was sent away dwelt slightly. The two New Zealanders, Schoch and Shackleton, led out and held a lead until just before the second last jump where Shirley drew level. She inched her way forward, and clearing the last hurdle just ahead of the New Zealanders, went on to gain the narrowest of victories in 11.6 seconds, one-fifth of a second slower than her heat time. Shirley Strickland had done it at last. Though she was one of Australia's greatest women athletes it was not until this day that she had won an international title. Up until now she had had to be content with seconds and thirds. "I've waited such a long time for this", said Shirley, laughing with pleasure. "At the Olympic Games it was Fanny Blankers-Koen who kept beating me. Now its Marjorie Jackson." Shirley hoped that her big win would not be her last. "I would love to go to Helsinki for the next Olympics," she said earnestly. "Whether or not I will last out I don't know."
The medal which gave a true indication of what was to come.
$5,000 - $10,000
Lot 42. 1950 British Empire Games, Gold Medal awarded to Shirley Strickland for First place in the 440 Yards Relay, in original presentation case. also Official Programme, Athletics, Fourth Day, Saturday 11th February. Collection of press clippings relating to the 440 Yards Relay.
The 440 Yards Relay was held on the fourth day of the Athletics. 40,000 spectators at Eden Park refused to quit, even though vast quantities of rain were descending on them. Whilst the men ran 4x110 yards, the women's relay comprised three legs - 220, 110, 110 yards. Marjorie Jackson gave Australia an unassailable lead in the first leg of the relay. She was opposed by Leslie Rowe (NZ) and Sylvia Cheesman (England) but headed them by nearly ten yards with the greatest of ease. Shirley Strickland, running the second leg, bounded off like a springbok, and when Verna Johnston took over for the final 110 yards there was a gap back to New Zealand in second place of about 14 yards. England finished third and Canada fourth.
Australia's time of 47.9 seconds was a new Empire Games record.
$5,000 - $10,000
Lot 43. 1950 British Empire Games, Gold Medal awarded to Shirley Strickland for First place in the 660 Yards Relay, in original presentation case. also Official Programme, Athletics, Fourth Day, Saturday 11th February. Photograph of the Relay girls. also Collection of press clippings relating to the 660 Yards Relay.
The 660 Yards Relay was held about an hour after the 440 yards Relay, and comprised 2x220 yards and 2x110 yards. A feature of the relay, in which yet another record was set by Australia, was the fine start given New Zealand by Doris Parker, who held her own with Shirley Strickland over the first 220 yards. Australia's supremely good sprinters soon established a lead, and at the last baton change-over to Marjorie Jackson, New Zealand was a good ten yards behind. Leslie Rowe (NZ) at this stage had the ill-luck to fall as she was handing the baton to Shirley Hardman, and the team was subsequently disqualified for letting the baton touch the ground. Jackson finished about 30 yards ahead of New Zealand with England and Canada fairly close up.
The Australian team of Shirley Strickland, Verna Johnston, Ann Shanley and Marjorie Jackson, set a new Empire record of 1 minute 13.4 seconds on the rain soaked track.
$5,000 - $10,000
1950 Canterbury Centennial Games, 2nd Place Medal, awarded to Shirley Strickland in the 100 metres. 1950 Canterbury Centennial Games, 1st Place Trophy, awarded to Shirley Strickland in the 100 yards. 1950 Canterbury Centennial Games, 1st Place Trophy, awarded to Shirley Strickland in the 200 metres. 1950 Canterbury Centennial Games, 1st Place Trophy, awarded to Shirley Strickland in the 80 metres hurdles.
$2,500 - $5,000
Lot 46. "Centennial, Canterbury, New Zealand", book, signed on front cover by Shirley Strickland. "Canterbury Centennial Celebrations, Official Souvenir Programme". "The New Zealand Sportsman, Centennial Games, Souvenir Issue", signed on front cover by Shirley Strickland. "Canterbury Centennial Games, International, Official Programme, Athletics 1st Day, Wednesday, December 27, 1950". "Canterbury Centennial Games, International, Official Programme, Athletics 2nd Day, Friday, December 29, 1950". "Canterbury Centennial Games, International, Official Programme, Athletics 3rd Day, Saturday, December 30, 1950". "The Weekly News", newspaper, Auckland, January 10, 1951. 1952 (1 July) letter from Green & Hahn Photography in Christchurch to Shirley's mother, enclosing proofs of two photographs. also Range of photographs (6), noted: - Photograph of Shirley winning the 200 metres. Photograph of Shirley on her return to Australia after the Centennial Games. also Collection of press clippings.
$1,000 - $2,000
1951 - including Australian Commonwealth Jubilee Championships
Shortly after her triumphant return from New Zealand, Shirley completed an amazing clean sweep at the Commonwealth Jubilee Championships in Sydney. She came close to a world record in winning the 100 yards sprint, leading throughout to clock 11.8 seconds, only 0.1 seconds outside Marjorie Jackson's world record. Shirley got away to a perfect start and running beautifully, increased her lead over the last 25 yards to win clearly from NZ runner Dorrie Parker, with Marlene Mathews third. Shirley set a new Australian and NSW record with a brilliant win in the 80 metres hurdle in 11.2. The record of 11.3 had been held by Dutch champion, Fanny Blankers Koen. Shirley made it 3 in a row when she followed up her hurdles victory with a brilliant win in the 440, beating S. Massey (NSW) by 30 yards. She topped off her remarkable treble by leading Australia to victory over New Zealand in the 440 yards relay. Taking the baton on the last change, 3 yards behind NZ star, Dorrie Parker, the WA girl gathered her in 25 yards from home and crossed the line inches ahead in a thrilling battle.
Lot 47. 1951 certificates, awards, photographs & printed ephemera group comprising: - Programmes (4) "Commonwealth Jubilee, Women's Amateur Track and Field Championships of Australia, Sydney Sports Ground, Jan 13, 1951". also Trophy with golden angel over Australian Coat-of-Arms, with engraved plaque "Commonwealth Jubilee Celebrations 1951, Shirley Strickland, 100 Yds, 80 Mtrs Hurdles, 440 Yds, 4x110 Yds Relay." Photograph of Shirley with her trophy from the 1951 Jubilee Games. also Australian Record Certificate _ 80 metres hurdles in 11.2 seconds, 13th January, 1951. NSW Record Certificate _ 80 metres hurdles in 11.2 seconds, 13th January, 1951. WA Record Certificate _ 220 yards in 24.8 seconds, 10th February, 1951. WA Record Certificate _ 100 yards in 10.9 seconds, 17th February, 1951. WA Record Certificate _ 440 yards in 57.9 seconds, 17th February, 1951. WA Record Certificate _ 80 metres hurdles in 11.2 seconds, 22nd December, 1951. WA Record Certificate _ 100 metres in 11.9 seconds, 22nd December, 1951. WA Certificate of Merit _ 1st in 100 yards, 1st in 220 yards, 1st in 440 yards, 1st in 80 metres hurdles, 10th-17th February, 1951. also Silver tea pot, engraved "St.John Ambulance, Jubilee Sport, Northam, 1951, C.H.James Trophy, Women's 80 Metre Hurdle. Won by S.Strickland." also "Girls High School Programme, Eighteenth Annual Athletic Carnival, Subiaco Oval, Thursday October 25th, 1951". "The Athlete", magazine, Spring 1951. "World Sports", magazine, August 1951. "Sports Novels", magazine, March 1951. "Woman's World", magazine, April 1951. "Woman's World", magazine, June 1951 also Other photographs (3) and press clippings.
$2,500 - $5,000
1952 - INCLUDING THE HELSINKI OLYMPIC GAMES
"In March 1952 the AOF announced a team of thirty-five to go to Helsinki and ignited another fierce, quite predictable controversy. Next, nominated individuals and their sports were given the chance to raise their own fares of £750 apiece. Eventually, after much confusion and argument, a contingent of eighty-four competitors, including ten women, flew to Helsinki. Politics had intruded on the Olympics before, most notably in 1936, but the Games of 1952 introduced a new dimension of political rivalry to the Olympic movement. For the first time, the combatants of the Cold War lined up against each other, with both sides seeking to demonstrate through sporting success the virtues of the ideologies they embraced. Halfway across the world, on the Korean peninsula, troops representing the same contrasting ideologies were engaged in bloody warfare. Australia finished the Games with six gold medals _ the richest yield the nation had ever achieved _ and half of them were won by the two women named first in the track and field team: Marjorie Jackson and Shirley Strickland. Jackson established herself as the finest woman sprinter in the world, with magnificent victories in the 100 metres and 200 metres, equaling the world record of 11.5 seconds in the 100. Her victory in the 100 metres, in which team-mates Shirley Strickland and Winsome Cripps finished third and fourth respectively, gave her two historic distinctions: she became the first Australian to win a track gold medal since Edwin Flack fifty-six years earlier, and the first Australian woman ever to win an Olympic track event. Although Jackson was the first Australian track winner since Flack, the second was close behind her. A day after the 100 metres, Shirley Strickland won the 80 metres hurdles; she did so devastatingly, equaling the world record of 11.0 seconds in her heat, running a slightly wind assisted 10.8 in her semi-final, then creating a new mark of 10.9 in the final. Her triumphs that day marked the eclipse of Fanny Blankers-Koen, who had withdrawn with a blood infection after the second round of the 100 metres and been a non-starter in the 200. Fanny's defence of her hurdles title ended in disaster when she crashed at the third hurdle in the final. Shirley's spell atop the victory dais was long and sweet: "When Marj won her gold medal, the band played `God Save the Queen'. There were complaints from the Australians about whether it was the appropriate song. The Finns didn't know what to do, so they played both that and `Advance Australia Fair'. I stood there with the sun sloping across the dais, for what seemed an eternity. It was fantastic" She had just become the first woman ever to win five Olympic medals. It seemed certain that the women's 4 x 100 metres relay team _ Jackson, Strickland, Winsome Cripps and Verna Johnson _ would give Australia a fourth gold medal in women's track events, and demonstrate in the process just how wrong the AAU had been in grading the team. They won their heat easily, breaking the world record with a run that was less than flat-out, and looked to have the final won as Jackson took the baton from Cripps, with a lead of 1 metre, to run the anchor leg. Then came an incident that has passed into Olympic folklore, and will continue to haunt the memories of the participants as long as they live. After the last baton change, on a tight bend between Cripps and Jackson, the baton suddenly flew into the air, bounced on the track and was caught on the rebound by Jackson. In those moments the race was lost. What had happened was this: the baton was passed cleanly, and Jackson was striding away when Cripp's knee collided with her arm, knocking the baton from her grasp. Jackson recalled: "I had covered maybe 4 metres with the baton in my hand and had this great big grin on my face. I was floating on air because I knew this was ours, and suddenly I didn't have the baton any more, and I didn't know why I didn't have it. Because the bend was so sharp Winsome couldn't pull up in time; otherwise she would have run into another lane and been disqualified. So unbeknown to me, she was still running behind me. I had a very high arm action, and once I took the baton I put everything into that arm action to really pump me. Her knee came up as my arm came back with the baton. The headlines said it was a dropped baton, but it was never a dropped baton." The fast pace set by the Australian women helped the winner, the United States, and the second team, Germany, to set a joint record of 45.9 seconds. The Australians tried not to show their hurt in public, and were gracious in defeat, but there were tears later. "Marj and I had our medals," explained Shirley. "We were sad for Winsome and Verna, because they really deserved them." A week later after the Olympic Games, the Australian squad trounced the Americans in an Empire versus United States carnival, lowering the world record again. But that defeat did little to ease their pain." [from "Australia and the Olympic Games" by Harry Gordon]
Lot 48. The Road to Helsinki; an important group, comprising: - Australian Championships, 1st medal, 80 metres hurdles, 11.2 seconds, 28.1.52. Australian Championships, 1st medal, 440 yards, 59.4 seconds, 28.1.52. Australian Championships, 2nd medal, 100 yards, 26.1.52. also WA Record Certificate _ 220 yards in 24.7 seconds, 23rd February, 1952. WA Record Certificate _ 100 yards in 10.8 seconds, 1st March, 1952. WA Certificate of Merit _ 1st in 100 yards, 1st in 220 yards, 1st in 80 metres hurdles, 23rd February _ 1st March, 1952. also "Australian Championships held in Melbourne, 1951-52, Souvenir Programme". "Official Programme, Interstate Track and Field Meeting and Supplementary Olympic Trials, Sydney Sports Ground, Sunday, 2nd February, 1952". Invitation to meet Their Royal Highnesses the Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh at a Garden Party on Monday 3rd March, 1952, at Government House, Perth. "Track and Field Games, Championships of Tasmania, Official Programme, First Day, North Hobart Oval, Saturday, March 15th, 1952". Advertising poster for Shirley Strickland in Tasmanian Championships, North Hobart Ground, Saturday, 15th March, 1952. "Tasmanian Track and Field Games Championships, Official Programme, Second Day, York Park, Launceston, Saturday, March 22nd, 1952" "Olympic Fund Appeal, Athletic Carnival, Presented by VAAA and VWAAA, St.Kilda Cricket Ground, Sunday, 23rd March, 1952. Christmas Card from Edgar Tanner (Victorian MP, manger of 1948 Olympic Team). also "People" magazines (2), February 27, 1952, including article on Shirley Strickland. "Picture Post" magazine, 9 August 1952, signed by Shirley Strickland. "The Wide World Magazine", February 1952 (cover missing). also Photographs (25) including one showing the WA athletes with the 1952 Doris Mulcahy Shield; and press clippings.
$2,000 - $2500
Lot 49. 1952 Pre-Olympics group of documents & photographs comprising: - "Farewell Reception to the Australian Olympic Team, Monday 9th June 1952", programme signed on the back cover by Paavo Simelius, Finnish Charge d'Affaires. Olympic Team Farewell Party _ Shirley Strickland's shield-shaped name tag. "The 1952 Championships, Friday and Saturday June 20-21, White City Stadium, London, Official Programme", with Shirley's notes inside including "Treloar pulled muscle" under 100 yards semi-finals. "Visit to Northern Ireland of the Australian and New Zealand Olympic Athletic Teams, 23rd-26th June, 1952, Itinerary for Tour", with colourful front cover. "International Invitation Sports Meeting, Ravenhill Rugby Football Grounds, Belfast, Wednesday, 25th June, 1952, Programme". Press release relating to the Belfast sports meeting. "Official Programme, 1952, Glasgow Police Sports". Dinner Menu, "City Of Glasgow Police Athletic Association, Dinner, St.Enoch Hotel, 28th June 1952", with 8 signatures including Edwin Carr, John Landy & Percy Wells Cerutty. Invitation to Shirley Strickland to attend The Queen's Afternoon Party at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday, 9th July, 1952. also Photographs (11), one showing the Australian Olympic team on Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland, plus two photographs showing Shirley training in London, and another of her signing autographs.
$1,000 - $2,000
Lot 50. World Record Plaque, in bronze, 7 x 10cm: - inscribed on front "IAAF, International Amateur Athletic Federation" and symbol; on reverse, "International Amateur Athletic Federation to" engraved and highlighted in white enamel "S.B.De La Hunty/ M.Jackson/ W.Cripps/ V.Johnson/ Australia", Worlds Records Holder "4 x 110 Yards Relay/ 46.9s/ London, England/ 15.7.1952".
$3,000 - $5,000
Lot 51. 1952 Helsinki Olympics group, comprising: -
1952 Helsinki Olympics Official Identity Card for Shirley Strickland. Small Olympic flag. Helsinki 1952 airmail envelope, unused. Ceramic plate, rectangular in shape, showing Finnish flag and Olympic stadium. Metal matchbox holder, with top showing Olympic rings and view of Helsinki. Serviettes (4). Shirley Strickland's Towel, with Australian Coat-of-Arms and "Australian Olympic Team, Helsinki 1952" incorporated into the design. Ladies silk scarf.
$1,000 - $1,500
Lot 52. 1952 Helsinki Olympics printed material comprising: - "Programme and Prices of Admission Tickets, XVth Olympic Games, Helsinki Finland 1952, 19th July _ 3rd August". "XVos Juegos Olimpicos de Helsinki 1952", signed on the front cover by Shirley Strickland. "XV Olympiad, Official News Service, No.15 June 1952". Postcard showing Opening Ceremony. "Sports Manden", newspaper, Mandag 21 Juli 1952. Official Programme for Athletics, Saturday 26th July 1952 "Track and Field in Finland". "Suomen Voimistelu-Ja Urheiluliitto, Gymnastic and Athletic Union of Finland, 1906-1952". Press releases notifying heats, results, etc: - Nos. 17, 18, 26, 29, 39, 40, 50, 65 & 84. "XV Olympiad, Helsinki 1952", guide published by Shell. "All-Sports Monthly _ Olympic Games Number", NZ magazine, August 1952. "Olympic Games 1952, British Olympic Association Official Report", signed on the front by Shirley Strickland. "Australian Olympic Team at Helsinki 1952" by William T.J.Uren, General Manager. "Olympic Games Helsinki 1952. Australian Track & Field Team Report of Team Manager", signed on front cover by Keith Donald. also "The Athlete", magazine, Summer 1952, signed on the front cover by Shirley Strickland. "World Sports _ Olympic Games Souvenir Number", July 1952, signed on the font cover by Shirley Strickland. "World Sports", November 1952, signed on the front cover by Shirley Strickland. "World Sports", December 1952, signed on the front cover by Shirley Strickland. "Sports Novels _ Olympic Games, Helsinki 1952", July 1952, signed on the front cover by Shirley Strickland. "World Communique _ Olympic Games Number", August and September 1952, signed on the front cover by Shirley Strickland. "Australia _ Olympic Issue", Mar - Apr 1952 (faults).
$500 - $1,000
Lot 53. 1952 Helsinki Olympics letters, photographs, etc., group comprising: - 1952 (16 May) letter from National Fitness Council of WA to Shirley, congratulating her on obtaining selection in the team to represent Australia in the Olympic Games at Helsinki. 1952 (23 July) letter from Harry Hopman in London to Shirley, "Congratulations on that world record. The tennis lads join me in good wishes for continued form somewhere around that mark". 1952 (25 July) postcard from George Post in Netherlands to Shirley at Olympic Village, "Near as fast as a train Australia first. Australia Victory. Congratulation(s)". 1952 (1 Aug) letter from Arthur Postle to Dave Strickland (Shirley's father), regarding Shirley's success at Helsinki, and suggesting she relinquish hurdle practice for a time and concentrate on sprinting entirely. 1955 (24 Aug) postcard showing Helsinki Olympic stadium from a Polish admirer in Helsinki to Shirley in Perth. Hand-written song sheet "Shirley Strickland", words and music by Dick Magree. also Photographs (20), noted team photograph, the Australians marching in the Opening Ceremony, and Paavo Nurmi lighting the Olympic flame. also Collection of press clippings.
$1,000 - $1,500
Lot 54. Original poster for the 1952 Olympic Games, 25 x 39cm, designed by F.Sysimesta and printed in Finland by Oy Tilgmann AB. Horizontal crease but very scarce. Brought back to Australia by Shirley as a momento of her participation in the Games.
$1,000 - $1,500
Lot 55. 1952 Helsinki Olympics, Shirley Strickland's Participation Medal, in bronze, designed by Kauko Rasanen, minted by Veljekset Sundqvist Oy of Helsinki, (54mm diameter). also "Olympic Games 1952, British Olympic Association Official Report", signed by Shirley Strickland. "The Athlete", magazine, Summer 1952. "World Sports _ Olympic Games Souvenir Number", July 1952 also Photograph of the 1952 Australian Olympic team. Postcard showing the Opening Ceremony.
$1,000 - $1,500
Lot 56. 1952 Helsinki Olympics, Shirley Strickland's Official Participants badge for Athletics, 32 x48m, orange ribbon with legend "Yleisurheilu Athletisme". also Photographs (3) showing the Australian women wearing their Official Participants badges on their blazers.
$1,000 - $1,500
Lot 57. 1952 Helsinki Olympics, Bronze Medal awarded to Shirley Strickland for Third place in the 100 metres, in original presentation case. Designed by Giusseppi Cassioli and Aukusti Tuhka, minted by Kultakeskus Oy of Helsinki. also XV Olympia Helsinki 1952, Diploma (35x50cm) inscribed "Shirley Strickland de la Hunty, III P., 100m juoksu", and signed by Erik von Frenckell, President of the Games & with printed signature of J.S.Edstrom, President of International Olympic Committee. (Few water stains at top of diploma). [Note: - The Mens AAU did not approve of Shirley continuing to use Strickland as her surname after her marriage, so against her wishes registered her under both surnames, which created dilemmas for the scoreboard operators and officials at Helsinki.] also Photograph of Shirley winning her Heat of the women's 100 metres. Photograph of the Final of the women's 100 metres, plus trade card showing similar picture. Photograph of the awards ceremony with Marjorie Jackson, Daphne Hasenjager (South Africa) and Shirley Strickland with their medals on the dais. also Press clipping relating to the 100 metres.
The "Lithgow Flash", Marjorie Jackson, won the 100 metres, equaling the world record of 11.5 seconds against a slight headwind, with Australia's Shirley Strickland and Winsome Cripps filling third and fourth places.
$10,000 - $15,000 Lot 58. World Record Plaque, in bronze, 7 x 10cm: - on front "IAAF, Internationl Amateur Athletic Federa- tion" and symbol; on reverse, "International Amateur Athletic Federation to" with engraved and high lighted in white enamel "S.B.De La Hunty/ Australia", Worlds Records Holder "80 Metres Hurdles/ 11.0s/ Helsinki, Finland/ 23.7.1952".
Shirley Strickland broke the world record in her heat of the 80 metres hurdles.
$3,000 - $5,000
Lot 59. 1952 Helsinki Olympics, Gold Medal awarded to Shirley Strickland for First place in the 80 metres hurdles, in original presentation case. Designed by Giusseppi Cassioli and Aukusti Tuhka, minted by Kultakeskus Oy of Helsinki. also XV Olympia Helsinki 1952, Diploma (35x50cm) inscribed "Shirley Strickland de la Hunty, I P., 80m aitajuoksu", and signed by Erik von Frenckell, President of the Games & with printed signature of J.S.Edstrom, President of International Olympic Committee. also Photographs (8) including: - First hurdle in 80 metres hurdles final. Last hurdle in 80 metres hurdles final. Photofinish of the 80 metres hurdles. Final group photo after 80 metres hurdles. Shirley Strickland, Marija Golubichnaja (Russia) & Maria Sander (Germany) with their medals on the dais. Shirley Strickland, Marija Golubichnaja & Maria Sander displaying their Olympic medals. also Press clipping relating to the 80 metres hurdles.
A day after the 100 metres, Shirley Strickland won the 80 metres hurdles; she did so devastatingly, equalling the world record of 11.0 seconds in her heat, running a slightly wind assisted 10.8 in her semi-final, then creating a new mark of 10.9 in the final. Shirley's spell atop the victory dais was long and sweet: "When Marj won her gold medal, the band played `God Save the Queen'. There were complaints from the Australians about whether it was the appropriate song. The Finns didn't know what to do, so they played both that and `Advance Australia Fair'. I stood there with the sun sloping across the dais, for what seemed an eternity. It was fantastic" She had just become the first woman ever to win five Olympic medals.
$25,000 - $35,000 Lot 60. World Record Plaque, in bronze, 7 x 10cm: - on front "IAA, International Amateur Athletic Federa- tion" and symbol; on reverse, "International Amateur Athletic Federation to" with engraved and high lighted in white enamel "S.B.De La Hunty/ Australia", Worlds Records Holder "80 Metres Hurdles/ 10.9s/ Helsinki, Finland/ 24.7.1952".
Shirley smashed her own world record to win the Gold medal in the 80 metres hurdles.
$3,000 - $5,000
Lot 61. World Record Plaque, in bronze, 7 x 10cm: - on front "IAA, International Amateur Athletic Federa- tion" and symbol; on reverse, "International Amateur Athletic Federation to" with engraved and high lighted in white enamel "M.Jackson/ W.Cripps/ V.Johnson/ S.B.De La Hunty/ Australia", Worlds Records Holder "4 x 100 Metres Relay/ 46.1s/ Helsinki, Finland/ 27.7.1952".
The Australian Women's Relay team broke the world record in the heats at Helsinki, entering the final as hot favourites but suffering disqualification because of a "dropped baton".
$3,000 - $5,000
Lot 62. Shirley Strickland's competitors numbers "31", that were sewn onto her running outfit during the 1952 Helsinki Olympics. Two numbers, each 17x17cm. also Photographs (2) of Shirley wearing the number "31" whilst competing at the Helsinki Olympics.
$1,000 - $2,000
Lot 63. 1952 Post-Olympics documents, letters, photographs, etc., comprising: - "Program, Bislett-Lekene, 1952, Etterolympiaden, Bislett Idrettsplass 30 og 31 Juli", programme for Post-Olympic Games in Norway. "Post Olympic British Games, White City Stadium, August 9th, 1952", programme. "Dinner to Athletes and Officials, Post-Olympic British Games, Saturday, 9th August, 1952", dinner menu signed by G.T.Galloway. "Souvenir Programme, Olympic Review Sports, Organized by Darlington Harriers, Feethams Cricket Ground, Darlington, Monday, 11th August, 1952". "Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, Mary Martin in South Pacific", theatre programme. [Attended by some of the Australian Team.] "Dinner in the City Chambers, Edinburgh on Saturday, 23rd August 1952, on the occasion of City of Edinburgh, Sixth Annual Highland Games", dinner menu, with some phone numbers noted on reverse. "Floodlit Athletics, International Inter-City Match, London v Paris v Brussels, White City, Wednesday, Sept. 17th, 1952, Official Programme." also Small album, decorated with Charlottenburg, Olympic and German flags, related to the International Athletics at the Olympic Stadium of Berlin, on September 21st, 1952, on the occasion of the Sports Club of Charlottenburg Jubilee. Includes photographs (28), related to the 1952 Helsinki Olympics and the 1952 Berlin Games; postcards (11), "A visit to the British Sector of Berlin", and cloth badges (2), all with captions hand painted in white. Prepared by the family of Dr Stolze. Stolze correspondence: - 1952 (21 Sept) letter from Dr. Stolze outlining his curriculum vitae as a masseur _ trainer and expressing his desire to immigrate to Australia to help prepare for the 1956 Olympic Games. 1953 (29 Jan) letter from Dr. Stolze to Shirley, thanking Shirley for her help in regard to his immigration to Australia. 1953 (10 Apr) letter from Department of Immigration to Shirley regarding the application for the admission to Australia of Dr. Stolze and his wife. 1953 (10 Apr) letter from Department of Immigration to Shirley regarding the application for the admission to Australia of Miss Ursula Luneberg, Dr. Stolze's daughter. 1953 (3 Aug) postcard from Dr. Stolze at International Games at Berlin Stadium to Shirley, with signatures of 4 athletes including Fanny Blankers-Koen. 1953 (10 Aug) copy of a letter from Australian Military Mission in Berlin to Dr. Stolz, in German. 1953 (18 Aug) letter from Dr. Stolze to Shirley, "The red tape is going to destroy relentlessly my plan" 1953 (28 Aug) letter from Commonwealth Immigration Department to Shirley, "I refer to your application for the admission of Mr. Hanz Stolze and wife. Overseas enquiries reveal that these persons are unable to comply with the conditions of admission to Australia". 1953 (19 Oct) letter from Mrs. Stolze to Shirley, "it is our unshakable belief that we succeed with your kind help in attaining our aim". 1953 (26 Oct) letter from Dr. Stolze to Shirley, advising of a letter received from the Australian Military Mission in Berlin that their daughter, given permission to emigrate on July 10th, had permission withdrawn suddenly on October 22nd. 1953 (5 Nov) card from the Stolze family in Berlin to Shirley. 1953 (11 Nov) letter from Lutheran World Federation, Service to Refugees, to L.E. de la Hunty (Shirley's husband), regarding sponsoring Miss Ursula Lueneburg's emigration to Australia. 1953 (17 Dec) Christmas card from the Stolze family to Shirley. 1954 (15 Feb) card from Dr. Stolze at the Viermachte-Konferenz in Berlin to Shirley. Photographs (5) of Dr. Stolze and his family. also "Fifty Facts about Malta" booklet. also Photographs (4) and press clippings.
$1,000 - $2,000
Lot 64. World Record Plaque, in bronze, 7 x 10cm: - on front "IAAF, International Amateur Athletic Federa- tion" and symbol; on reverse, "International Amateur Athletic Federation to" with engraved and high lighted in white enamel "M.Jackson/ W.Cripps/ V.Johnson/ S.B.De La Hunty/ Australia", Worlds Records Holder "4 x 110 Yards Relay/ 46.3s/ London, England/ 4.8.1952". also Press clippings, one showing the new world record, and two showing the dropped baton at the Helsinki Olympics.
On 4th August, at the British Empire v USA Athletics Meeting at White City in London, the Australian Women's Relay team had their revenge on the Americans after dropping the baton at the Helsinki Olympic Games.
$3,000 - $5,000 Lot 65. British Record Plaque, with enameled Union Jack on silver plaque, attached to wooden stand. Engraved " British Records _ Women/ S.Strickland De La Hunty/ (Australia)/ 80 Metres Hurdles/ 11 Sec./ White City London. 4th August 1952".
Press clipping with the results of the British Empire v USA athletics meeting.
On the same night as the Australian Relay team defeated the Americans in the 440 Yards Relay in world record time, Shirley broke the British record in winning the 80 metres hurdles.
$1,000 - $2,000 Lot 66. Shirley Strickland Welcome Home group comprising: - Plaque with City of Perth Coat-of Arms, engraved "Presented to Shirley Strickland, Olympian Gold Medallist 1952. From the Lord Mayor, Councillors & Citizens of Perth, at a Welcome Home Reception, Perth 6.11.52". Invitation to Mr.L.De La Hunty (Shirley's husband) to a Civic Reception and Welcome to Perth to Shirley Strickland and Verna Johnson. Invitation to Mr.L. De La Hunty to a Civic Luncheon to Shirley Strickland and Verna Johnston. 1952 (4 Nov) letter from W.A. McI.Green, Town Clerk, City of Perth to Mr. De La Hunty with a timetable for the procession from Fremantle Wharf to Perth. Car Badges (2), reading "City of Perth, Shirley Strickland, Welcome Home/ Official Car No.", to be affixed to the lower right of the windscreen. Photographs (2) of the motorcade passing through the streets of Perth. Hand-written drafts (2) of Shirley's speech at the Welcome Home. Press clipping relating to the Welcome Home procession and civic reception.
$2,500 - $3,000 Lot 67. Trophy with athlete holding torch, silver plaque on base reads, " For Meritorious Effort in the Field of Youth Service, Awarded to, Shirley Strickland, By the Association of National Fitness Leaders (WA), 1952". Very attractive.
$1,000 - $2,000
Lot 68. Pen and ink drawing of Shirley hurdling at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, signed indistinctly at lower right, window mounted, framed and glazed, overall 44 x 38 cm.
$200 - $400
1953-54 - The Wilderness Years
Now began a period of trouble in the mighty career of Shirley Strickland. After the birth of her son, Phillip, in September 1953, she recommenced her training in December and, well before the deadline for entries, was twice able to reach the hurdles qualifying time of 11.5 for the Vancouver Empire Games. Very ill with influenza during Australian Championships in February 1954, she did not run in the 100 metres and was unplaced in the hurdles following a break, which the starter failed to acknowledge. Shirley actually picked up the starter's gunshot echo from a large glazed building behind, and judged it to be a recall. Unfortunately, none of the other competitors made the same mistake. This problem has caused several international 400 metres sprinters and hurdlers to stop in similar circumstances _ a fatal error. Having failed to place in either event, she was omitted from the Empire Games team and much press speculation and controversy followed. This controversy was heightened when officials declared that Strickland had not been selected, as she had not made the qualifying time (which she had, twice!). It was then revealed that Australia's second hurdler for the Games team had not actually qualified, although selected on the basis of her second place in the Australian Championships. Shirley then added further coal to the fires by revealing that she had been asked by the Western Australia officials to stand down from the 100 metres to ensure that the hurdles title went to Western Australia. This she had done, unaware that the first four placegetters in the 100 metres gained automatic games selection. The drama was finally played out when Strickland's application to compete
at Vancouver at her own expense as an independent was turned down by the
Australian Women's Amateur Athletic Union. It seemed to Shirley Strickland
that she had been given a `rough deal' by officialdom and it rankled.
Worse was to come, however, when anonymous mail
It was certainly the low point of Strickland's career, but she met the challenge as she met every other challenge.
Lot 69. Australian Championships, 2nd medal, 4 x 110 Yards Relay, Western Australia, 47.0 seconds, 1.3.1954, additionally engraved "Shirley Strickland" on edge. also WA Certificate of Merit _ 1st in 100 yards, 1st in 80 metres hurdles & 1st in 220 yards, 6th _ 13th March, 1954. also 1953 (26 Mar) letter from Editor of "The West Australian" to Mr.Strickland (Shirley's father), rejecting Mr.Strickland's complaint "In our files there is not a single reference suggesting that Miss Strickland is a communist". 1954 (26 Dec) letter to Shirley, enclosing press cuttings from Sydney papers. also "The Modern Athlete", magazine, issue No.1 March 1953, signed on the front cover by Shirley Strickland. "World Sports", magazine, January 1953, signed on the front cover by Shirley Strickland. "World Sports", magazine, February 1953, signed on the front cover by Shirley Strickland. "World Sports", magazine, March 1953, signed on the front cover by Shirley Strickland. "World Sports", magazine, April 1953, signed on the front cover by Shirley Strickland. "World Sports", magazine, May 1953, signed on the front cover by Shirley Strickland. "World Sports", magazine, June 1953, signed on the front cover by Shirley Strickland. "Digest of Digests", magazine (faults), April 1953, with article on Shirley titled "Glamour Girl of the Olympics". "Our Women" magazine, July _ September 1954. "Our Women" magazine, October _ December 1954, with exclusive interview with Shirley Strickland titled "Golden Girl". also A collection of related press clippings.
$500 - $1,000
1955 - including the Youth Festival in Warsaw, Poland
For Shirley, the season of 1955 was virtually a comeback season, with her eyes firmly fixed on the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. Four times in 1955 she clocked 11.1 over the hurdles, the fastest ever recorded in Australia as well as recording 11.2 three times. On several occasions she ran 100 yards in 10.9 which equaled her best ever and covered the 220 yards in 24.3 which was another personal best. Invited to run at the Youth Festival in Warsaw that year and with the blessing of the Australian Government, she again had life made difficult by the Women's Amateur Athletic Union. It insisted that this married thirty-year old veteran of two Olympic Games and numerous overseas tours, be accompanied by a chaperone, or not be allowed to compete! When she finally got to Warsaw _ without a chaperone _ Shirley Strickland set a world 100 metres record of 11.3. Lot 70. Certificates, letters & documents from this important year, comprising: - WA Record Certificate _ 220 Yards in 24.5 Seconds, 31st January 1955. Australian Record Certificate _ 80 Metres Hurdles in 11.1 Seconds, 5th February 1955. WA Record Certificate _ 80 Metres Hurdles in 11.1 Seconds, 5th February 1955. WA Record Certificate _ 220 Yards in 24.3 Seconds, 5th March 1955. WA Record Certificate _ 100 Yards in 10.7 Seconds, 3rd December 1955. WA Certificate of Merit _ 1st in 100 Yards, 1st in 220 Yards, 1st in 440 Yards & 1st in 80 Metres Hurdles, 19th February _ 5th March 1955. also 1955 (3 Feb) 4-page letter from Arthur Postle in Queensland to Shirley, opens "Reading about your fast running over the hurdles has given me quite a thrill and I feel I must write to congratulate you, on the wonderful tenacity and determination you have displayed. Perhaps you may recall, that when you were in Brisbane, some years ago, I predicted that you would probably do your best running at about the age you are now." 1955 (4 Feb) WA School of Deportment _ Modelling Certificate awarded to Shirley Strickland. "Alert", magazines (2), August 1955, one signed on front cover by Shirley Strickland. "Cobblers", newspaper, December 1, 1955, with article "Interview with Shirley Strickland. 1955 (30 Mar) copy of a letter from Robin Gray, Senior Lecturer in Physical
Education at the University of WA, to the Australian Amateur Athletic
Association, advising that he is considering offering Shirley a position
as a part-time lecturer in the Department of Physical Education, and wishes
to inquire how this 1955 (12 April) copy of a letter from The Amateur Athletic Union of Australia to the University of WA, replying that Shirley's Amateur Status would not be impaired by appointment to the position described. 1955 (16 July) 5-page letter from J.T.Weir to Shirley's father, regarding Shirley's trip to Poland. also Collection of press clippings. Extraordinary triple-exposure photograph showing Shirley's hurdles technique.
$1,000 - $1,500
Lot 71. 1955 Second International Friendly Sports Meeting of Youth in Warsaw group, comprising: - Shirley Strickland's Identity Card. Metal badge with Polish eagle surmounted with enamel emblem of the Festival (some enamel missing). Ladies Scarf, with "World Festival of Youth and Students For Peace and Friendship. Warsaw. 1955" in four languages. Silk Handkerchief. Large triangular shaped stickers (2). Cloth badge of the Austrian Team with underneath "WARSCHAU 1955". "Guide for the participants of the II International Friendly Sports Meeting of Youth". "Rules and Programme of the Second International Friendly Sports Meeting of Youth" (2). "Warszawa" booklet. "World Youth" magazine, October 1955. "Rumanian People's Republic _ Glimpses of Sport Life". Russian magazine with article on Shirley Strickland. Song Sheet "Spiewajmy".
$500 - $1,000 Lot 72. 1955 Second International Friendly Sports Meeting of Youth in Warsaw group, comprising: - Press Release, 1 August, in English, with details of the Sports Meeting and Opening Ceremony, 10 pages. Press Release, 2 August, in Polish, with results of all the day's events, 12 pages _ includes 80 m Hurdles heats and final. Press Release, 3 August, in Polish & French, with results of all the day's events, 20 pages _ includes 100 metres heats. Press Release, 4 August, in Polish & French, with results of all the day's events, 29 pages _ includes 100 metres semi-finals & final. Press Release, 5 August, in Polish & French, with results of all the day's events, 23 pages _ includes 200 metres semi-finals. Press Release, 6 August, in Polish & French, with results of all the day's events, 27 pages _ includes 200 metres final. Press Release, 7 August, in Polish & French, with results of all the day's events, 20 pages. Press Release, 8 August, in Polish & French, with results of all the day's events, 21 pages. Press Release, 9 August, in Polish & French, with results of all the day's events, 15 pages. Press Release, 10 August, in Polish & French, with results of all the day's events, 18 pages. Press Release, 11 August, in Polish & French, with results of all the day's events, 12 pages. also "Festival", newspaper _ issued in the lead up and during the Festival, issues No.2, 5, 7, 18, 20, 26, 27, 28 & 29. [No.20 in German, others in English].
$500 - $1,000 Lot 73. 1955 Second International Friendly Sports Meeting of Youth in Warsaw, letters & photographs group, comprising: - 1955 (13 Apr) letter from Australian Women's Amateur Athletic Union to Shirley, conveying an invita- tion from the Polish Amateur Athletic Federation to compete at the Second International Sports Meeting of Youth at Warsaw on August 1-14, 1955. 1955 (27 Apr) letter from Paul Hasluck, Minister for Territories, to Shirley, "You asked me for advice about accepting an invitation to compete at an athletics meeting in Poland next August First of all, I assume that you have satisfied yourself that the meeting will be conducted, considered solely as a sporting fixture, that you will not be required to take part in anything except the athletic events Sec- ondly, from enquiries I have made, I think you can assume that, if you decide to go, there will be no difficulty, so far as the Australian authorities are concerned, in obtaining the usual travel facilities. There remains the question whether, by attending the meeting, you will meet unpleasantness as the results of attempts to implicate you in communist activities I would say that you should go." 1955 (10 June) telegram from Doris Magee to Shirley, "Poland cabled acceptance your visit". 1955 (21 June) letter from Doris Magee of AWAAU to Shirley, "I regret to have to advise you that Poland has decided that it will not meet the additional cost of Manageress to accompany you to Warsaw and Mr. Hodsdon has cabled cancellation of trip"; plus summary of cables from Polish AA Federation and AAU of Australia. 1955 (7 July) copy of item broadcast on ABC News Service, "Western Australia's champion woman hurdler, Miss Shirley Strickland, has been given permission by the Australian Women's Athletic Union to compete in the International Sports Festival in Warsaw" 1955 (5 Aug) letter from Sir A.Noble, British Ambassador, to Shirley in Warsaw, "Congratulations on the world record! I am sorry that I did not see you do it; but I did have the pleasure of seeing you sweep through a semi-final with the greatest of ease, and of course, I also saw you in Helsinki in 1952." 1955 (9 Aug) letter from VAAA to Dr.L.Mogyorosy in Perth, regarding inviting three Hungarian athletes to visit Melbourne in February and March. 1955 (26 Aug) letter from Jerzy Dabrowski in Warsaw to Shirley, requesting her to send medicine and money. 1955 (27 Oct) letter from Arthur Hodsdon of AAU of Australia to Shirley, thanking her for memento of her Polish trip, and congratulating her on grand performances in Warsaw. 1955 (19 Nov) postcard from a fan in Rotterdam to Shirley. 1955 (17 Dec) postcard from a Polish journalist in Warsaw to Shirley. 1955 (Dec) Christmas card from Christina Seger. also Shirley's hand-written notes for a speech on her return from Poland. also Collection of press clippings (Polish, Russian and Australian) and newspapers. Large collection of photographs (100+) and postcards (5).
$1,500 - $2,000
Lot 74. 1955 Warsaw Games, Gold Medal awarded to Shirley Strickland for First place in the 80 metres hurdles, in original presentation case. also II-gie Miedzynarodowe Igrzyska Sportowe Mtodzieezy, Diploma, inscribed "Shirley De La Hunty, I, bieg 80m pizez plotki _11.1", and with photograph of the three placegetters, Shirley De La Hunty, Galina Grinwald (USSR) and Gisela Kohler (Germany). also Photographs (3) and press clipping relating to the 80 metres hurdles.
$5,000 - $8,000
Lot 75. 1955 Warsaw Games, Gold Medal awarded to Shirley Strickland for First place in the 100 metres, in original presentation case. also II-gie Miedzynarodowe Igrzyska Sportowe Mtodzieezy, Diploma, inscribed "Shirley De La Hunty, I, bieg na 100m kobiet 11.3", and with photograph of the three placegetters, Shirley De La Hunty, Vera Neszmeyi (Hungary) and Zinaida Safronova (USSR).
$5,000 - $8,000
Lot 76. World Record Plaque, in bronze, 7 x 10cm: - on front "IAAF, International Amateur Athletic Federa- tion" and symbol; on reverse, "International Amateur Athletic Federation to" with engraved and high- lighted in white enamel "S.De La Hunty/ Australia", Worlds Records Holder "100 Metres 11.3s/ War- saw, Poland/ 4.8.1955". also Press Release, 3 August, in Polish & French, with results of all the day's events, 20 pages _ includes 100 metres heats. Press Release, 4 August, in Polish & French, with results of all the day's events, 27 pages _ includes 100 metres semi-finals & final. also Collection of press clippings related to 100 metres. also Photographs (7), noted: - Shirley with competitors from Poland (2) and China, signed on reverse by Marya Kusion. Shirley warming up prior to the start of the 100 metres final. Start of the 100 metres final, just after the gun. Finish of 100 metres final. (2 photos). Photo-finish photograph (vertical crease). Three placegetters on the dais with their medals.
$3,000 - $5,000
Lot 77. 1955 Warsaw Games, Bronze Medal awarded to Shirley Strickland for Third place in the 200 metres, in original presentation case. also II-gie Miedzynarodowe Igrzyska Sportowe Mtodzieezy, Diploma, inscribed "Shirley De La Hunty, III, bieg 200m kobiet - 24.5", and with photograph of the three placegetters, Zinaida Safronova (USSR), Maria Itkina (USSR) and Shirley De La Hunty. also Photograph of Shirley and Zinaida Safranova. Photograph of Shirley with Polish athlete Gena Minnicka, signed by Minnicka on reverse. also Press clipping relating to the 200 metres.
$3,000 - $5,000 Lot 78. Shirley Strickland's 1955 Autograph Book, with many autographs of athletes at the 1955 Warsaw Games, noted Emil Zatopek, Fred Lane (winner of 2 gold medals for Australia at the 1900 Paris Olympics) & John Landy; plus famous Australian athletes including Dawn Fraser (twice) & Betty Cuthbert (twice). An extraordinary collection of 43 signatures.
$1,500 - $2,000 Lot 79. Superb hand-tinted photograph of Shirley Strickland on her return from Warsaw, window mounted, framed and glazed, overall 44 x 54cm. Presented to Shirley Strickland. With 12 signatures on reverse including Hugh Weir (P |