In his fascinating presentation, Roger Mooney took us on a historical journey through Olympic postage stamps issued by host countries, spanning from the first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896 to the London Games in 1948. Mooney’s focus was clear: only stamps from the host nations themselves were discussed, a unique way to trace the history of the Olympics through philately. Let’s explore the highlights and historical significance of these Olympic stamps, from their intricate designs to the cultural and political context that shaped them.
The Beginnings: Athens 1896
The first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens in 1896, a symbolic return to the birthplace of the ancient games. To commemorate the event, Greece issued its first set of Olympic postage stamps, marking the start of a long tradition of host countries honoring the games with unique stamp designs. These stamps were engraved in France by Lucian, the same artist responsible for France’s regular postal issues at the time. They depicted various ancient Greek motifs, such as wrestlers, discus throwers, and the iconic Winged Victory of Samothrace.
Mooney highlighted the soft pastel tones of these stamps, which make them challenging to reproduce on screen, but nonetheless capture the elegance and spirit of the games. Interestingly, the proceeds from these stamps helped fund the Olympic Games, with 50% of the net revenue allocated to the Olympic treasury—a fascinating blend of philately and financial support for the event.
The Coubertin Legacy: Paris 1900
The founder of the modern Olympic movement, Pierre de Coubertin, originally envisioned the first games being held in Paris. However, it wasn’t until 1900 that the French capital hosted the games, coinciding with the Paris Exposition Universelle, a World’s Fair celebrating technological and cultural progress. The stamps issued by France for this event, while not particularly tied to the Olympics themselves, are an interesting footnote in philatelic history. Mooney noted that World’s Fairs and the Olympics were often intertwined in the early years, with the exhibitions serving as a grand stage for both national pride and international competition.
St. Louis 1904: The Forgotten Games
The 1904 Olympics in St. Louis, Missouri, also coincided with a World’s Fair—the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. However, no stamps were issued by the U.S. to specifically commemorate the Olympic Games, a surprising omission considering the significance of the event. Instead, stamps celebrating the World’s Fair were released, leaving the 1904 Olympics relatively unrecognized in U.S. postal history.
The Intercalated Games: Athens 1906
An unusual and often overlooked chapter in Olympic history is the Intercalated Games of 1906, held once again in Athens. These games were not officially sanctioned by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) but were organized by Greece to reignite interest in the Olympics after the relatively unsuccessful 1904 St. Louis Games. While not officially recognized as “Olympic Games” by the IOC, they were a success, drawing large crowds and international participants. Mooney praised the stamps issued for the 1906 games for their beauty, noting that they were engraved by the renowned British firm Perkins Bacon, giving them a clarity and detail that earlier typographic stamps lacked.
The 1920s: Paris 1924 and Amsterdam 1928
The 1920 Antwerp Games, held in the aftermath of World War I, saw a conservative approach to stamp design, with classical figures reminiscent of ancient Greek art. Mooney pointed out the continued use of these motifs, even in the face of changing times. By the 1924 Paris Games, however, there was a shift. These games were the first to be widely recorded on film, marking a new era of modern Olympic documentation. The stamps issued for the Paris Games carried echoes of classical art but also introduced more modern themes, reflecting the blending of the old and new in the Olympic tradition.
Amsterdam’s 1928 stamps broke from the classical tradition, instead focusing on modern sports like rowing, sailing, and soccer. Mooney particularly appreciated this shift, noting the refreshing move toward modernity in both the depiction of athletes and the recognition of contemporary sports as part of the global Olympic stage.
The Mid-Century Games: London 1948
By the time of the 1948 London Olympics, World War II had disrupted the global order, canceling the 1940 and 1944 Games. The London Olympics were a return to normalcy, and Great Britain issued stamps to commemorate the event. However, Mooney was critical of the designs, which he found uninspiring and dominated by the image of King George VI, overshadowing the Olympic theme. He noted the floating crown motif on the stamps, which seemed out of place and disconnected from the athletic spirit of the games.
A Trend of Olympic Success: Hungary and Finland
In an interesting aside, Mooney discussed the surprising success of small nations like Hungary and Finland in the Olympic Games. Both countries have historically won a disproportionate number of medals compared to their population size. Hungary, for instance, ranks eighth in total Olympic medals despite a population of only around 8 million. Finland, too, has excelled in Olympic competition. Mooney attributed this success, in part, to strategic focus on less mainstream sports like sailing and marksmanship—an interesting insight into how smaller nations can punch above their weight in international sports.
Conclusion: Olympic Stamps as Historical Artifacts
Mooney’s presentation provides a window into the rich history of the Olympic Games through the lens of postage stamps. These stamps not only commemorate athletic achievements but also reflect the cultural, political, and artistic trends of their time. From the classical motifs of the early games to the modern sports depicted in the 1920s and beyond, Olympic stamps offer collectors a tangible connection to the global sporting event that has captivated the world for over a century.
As the Olympics continue to evolve, so too will the stamps that commemorate them, providing future generations of collectors with new stories and designs to treasure.
