Olympic Games/ Summer 1948/ London/ Maloubier/ Art competiti - Lot 226

Olympic Games/ Summer 1948/ London/ Maloubier/ Art competition/ Porthault/ Valmy/ Relay This original Indian ink drawing depicts the four relay runners in Maloubier's 4 x 100 m relay at the Games. After winning the European championship in 1946, hopes were high for this quartet, for although Porthault and Litaudon were just starting out, they had an experienced and successful base in Valmy and Lebas. Unfortunately, they were disqualified from the start. We are left with this signed document, a lovely witness, with a beautiful, regretful letter from the artist, dated August 1948 in London. In London, the Maloubier name is not completely unknown, both because a certain Bob, the younger (1923-2015), earned himself a reputation as a secret agent during the war, and because Jacques (1920-2002), took part in the art drawing competition there. Interestingly, Jacques is also a former top-level athlete, whose specialty, the 400m, earned him five caps and a French championship title in 1945. Porthault-Valmy-Litaudon-Lebas testify to Maloubier's talent, and to the affection he had for his comrades. Maloubier was an artist and an athlete with a special relationship with "L'Equipe", which featured several of his works on its front page, as did Marcel Hansenne, who was happier at his Games (3rd in the 800m). 18 x 24 cm