International Autograph Auctions (IAA) - Two Day Autograph Auction - Day 1

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Lot 1

• LIDDELL ERIC: (1902-1945) Scottish Athlete & Missionary. Gold medallist in the men's 400 metres at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris and one of the subjects of the Oscar winning film Chariots of Fire (1981). An excellent, lengthy A.L.S., Eric H. Liddell, three pages, 4to, Tientsin, China, 19th February 1926, to Mr. Chilvers. Liddell states that his correspondent's letter reached him some time ago and hopes that he hasn't left it too long before replying, continuing 'I find it a bit difficult to know what to start with as I do not know what opportunity you get for practising…The simplest way will be by numbering the various points. (1) Remember warmth is one of the things that all sprint athletes need. The muscles should be warmed up before doing a strenuous sprint. This warming can be done partly by a slight massage before running, and partly by doing one or two short runs (40 yds) at about 4/5 speed. This ensures that the muscles are in good condition as to respond when any great strain is put on them….(2) Remember slowness in becoming perfectly fit is always a help. A little each day is better than a lot in one day. When I was training I would perhaps do 3 or 4 fifty yard dashes and then a 220 in which the 1st 100 was not all out, but the last 120 was as fast as I could do it. In between each of these runs I would dance about on my toes….As I found it easily I would increase and perhaps one night I would do the full 220 yds. But I would not do one night after night….Do you find your stamina good enough for the 220 yds? That is what you will have to ask yourself….(3) Look after your body. A rub down before and especially after running is essential, just to take off any perspiration and not to let it sink back into the body. (4) If you can get someone to massage the upper thigh muscles, for these are the muscles the sprinter uses greatly…..(5) Stick more to the shorter races, rather than trying the ¼ mile which I think few should take seriously until they are at least 20 years old. (6) Starting is extremely difficult. Actual position you finally have to judge yourself but I found that a position something as follows suited me best: the front foot was about 4 inches behind the line, the lines (at the command get to your marks) of the back leg came up in line with the instep of the front foot. Thus there would be about 14 or 16 inches between the two holes made for each foot. The fingers of my hands rested exactly on the start line. At the word get set, my ballance (sic) was such that almost all the weight of the body rested on the front led and the hands. i.e. centre of gravity was somewhere in front of the front foot. If the hands were taken away you should immediately fall forwards. The first step taken is a short one, just out a foot or perhaps 18 inches. I do not think it should be over that……Do not rise too quickly, the first 10 yards or so should be spent in gradually rising. (7) Food. Simple diet all through the season is much better than trying to cut out this and that just because a race is coming off. Do not run within two hours of a meal. I think that is one of the most important parts….Be careful the meal before you run. You find out for yourself what suits you there. Personally I always preferred Roast beef…..' In concluding Liddell remarks 'I hope what I have try to say will be of value to you and I wish you all the best of wishes for the coming season.' Written on three separate sheets, each with some light staining to the upper and lower edges and some minor tears at the edges of the folds, the final page with some slight paper loss to the central vertical fold, just affecting one line of text. An extremely rare letter of remarkable content. G
• Estimate: £300.00 - £400.00

This sale took place on Saturday 14 July 2012

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