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Commemorative medal – Inauguration of Grenoble-Saint-Geoirs Airport – Louis Mandrin – 1968 Olympic Games – Decorative Objects
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Commemorative medal – Inauguration of Grenoble-Saint-Geoirs Airport – Louis Mandrin – 1968 Olympic Games

€59Bid from €53.10
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Saint symphorien des bois, FranceOn Whoppah since August 2026 • 1 sale
Product description
A medal that alone tells a piece of the history of the Dauphiné, at a time when Grenoble and its region entered the international spotlight. Made of silver-plated bronze, this important commemorative medal is linked to the inauguration of the new Grenoble-Saint-Geoirs airport in 1968, in the context of the major developments undertaken for the Grenoble Winter Olympic Games. Its design cleverly brings together ancient history and modernity. In the foreground appears Louis Mandrin, born in Saint-Étienne-de-Saint-Geoirs in 1725 and who became one of the most famous figures of French smuggling in the 18th century. Alongside him are the commune's coat of arms, while an airliner evokes this new air gateway opened to Grenoble and the Alps. This medal takes on an additional dimension due to its case. This bears the stamp of the Saint-Geoirs Customs administration. Everything thus suggests that this piece was presented as part of the inauguration of the new platform, in connection with the establishment of the customs services called upon to operate there. The juxtaposition is particularly ironic. To mark the opening of an airport equipped with its customs services, Saint-Geoirs chose to feature Mandrin, its most famous smuggler, on its medal. Two centuries separate the men, but local history itself provides the ironic touch. The silver-plated bronze offers a beautiful depth to the design. Its old-silver-toned patina highlights the reliefs of Mandrin's portrait, the airplane, and the coat of arms, while its substantial weight immediately gives the sensation of a high-quality medal in hand. Preserved with its stamped antique case, this set testifies to the inauguration of the Saint-Geoirs airport, the Olympic year 1968, and the establishment of the administrations necessary for the operation of this new international platform. A singular historical piece, where Louis Mandrin, modern aviation, and the administration responsible for monitoring borders meet with a certain irony. Additional details: - Brand: 20eSiecle - Material: bronze argenté - Colour: vieil argent - Period: 1968
Specifications
CategoryDecorative ObjectsConditionGoodColorsSilverSeller locationSaint symphorien des bois, FranceDelivery optionsDelivery or pickup

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About this seller
Professional
Saint symphorien des bois, FranceOn Whoppah since August 2026 • 1 sale