Scarce metal plaque originally affixed to one of the thirty aluminum flagpoles lining the Tower of Nations area at the Squaw Valley 1960 Winter Olympics. The curved plaque, 6 x 9.75, features the Olympic rings to upper portion and the Squaw Valley emblem with laurel branches to lower, with central raised text reading: "This Official Olympic Flagpole Was Used at Squaw Valley, California in the Pageantry Ceremonies of the VIII Olympic Winter Games Held in February 18-28, 1960, Walt Disney, Chairman of Pageantry." Tasked with producing both the opening and closing ceremonies, Disney conceived the idea of having thirty flag poles represent each participating nation of the eighth Winter Olympiad; they were used most prominently during opening festivities when their respective flags were raised amid a sustained drum roll. Each of the thirty flagpoles was affixed with one of these plaques, which were designed as a show of appreciation for contributing sponsors. When the Games concluded, each sponsor received the flagpole they helped erect at Squaw Valley, with one of the flagpoles ending up in front of the Disney Studio Commissary in Burbank, California. A unique piece of Disneyana and Olympic history.
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