Card Olympia Helsinky, 1952, 4 x 100m, Bild 22

Product detailed description

Condition: Good

Dimensions: 8 cm x 6 cm

An authentic archival card from prestigious East German edition of Olympic Games Helsinki 1952 dedicated to women's 4x100m relay. Bild 22 from series of 100 images. Photograph captures triumphant moment on podium - Soviet athletes in CCCP kit with flowers, beside American and Hungarian representations. German text comments: this victory proves Soviet sprinters belong to world class. VEB Volkskunstverlag Reichenbach - official East German publisher. Card is document of Cold War and athletics competition east vs. west bloc. Soviet dominance in women's athletics was phenomenon of era. Combination of Olympic sensation, Cold War atmosphere, East German provenance, and perfect condition make this card exceptionally valued. Ideal for collectors. Valuable artifact.

FAQ - Olympic Cards Helsinki 1952 and Cold War Athletics:

Why are cards from Helsinki 1952 important?
Helsinki 1952 were first Olympic Games where USSR officially participated. It was ideology competition - Soviet sports had to prove system superiority. Cards document this breakthrough moment.

What was Soviet dominance in women's athletics 1952?
Soviet athletes were sensation. Their technical level was world-class. 4x100m relay was spectacular - surpassed West in one of most dynamic disciplines. Result was propaganda - proof of Soviet superiority.

How did East German Olympic card editions originate?
VEB Volkskunstverlag was state publisher of East Germany. Cigarette industry financed card collections. Each cigarette pack contained one card. There were 100 in series - complete Helsinki collection.

Why is text in German?
Cards were East German edition for German market. VEB had cigarette monopoly in East Germany. Text emphasized Soviet victory as proof of socialist superiority - this was propaganda of its era.

What increases value of Helsinki 1952 card?
Soviet content (Cold War), women athletes (less common in cards), East German publisher (rarer than Western editions), group photograph (more valuable), year 1952 (breakthrough), and series of 100 (complete set is rare).

How to identify East German edition from others?
Check publisher (VEB Volkskunstverlag Reichenbach), German text, East German mark (A 673/54), and paper. East German cards have characteristic coloring and quality. Not as glossy as Western editions.

What role did cards in Helsinki 1952 play in propaganda?
They were mass media. Each cigarette pack had card - thousands saw it. Propaganda was built-in - emphasizing Soviet victories was intentional. Collection of 100 cards was long-term propaganda campaign.

Why is photograph on victory podium so valuable?
Captures historic moment - new Cold War reality in athletics. Central Europe (Hungary) was in bloc - but still "subordinated" to Soviet leader. Photograph is study of power dynamics.

How to collect Olympic cards 1952?
Seek complete sets (all 100 cards). Individual cards less valuable. East German editions rarer than Western. Soviet content most valued. Unused condition is critical.

What are most valuable Helsinki 1952 cards?
Soviet content (athletics, gymnastics, heavy athletics), group photographs on victory podium, unusual disciplines, an