• Weightlifting/Bodybuilding

      A collection of 1930s~1950s weightlifting and bodybuilding material belonging to George E. T. Turpin (born c.1917). George was a black weight lifter who was a lifetime member of BAWLA (British Amateur Weight Lifting Association) and a member and secretary for the Health & Strength League. 

      Collection includes BAWLA (British Amateur Weight Lifting Association) material including membership card & badge, magazine & six 1947~50 programmes, including 4 British Olympic Championships programmes. Also includes Health & Strength League material including correspondence and member welcome packs alongside family photographs and personal correspondence etc. Collection also includes are a few other photos of possibly asian or mixed race bodybuilders. 

      Collection:

      c.1950 8 x 10 inch envelope addressed to G.E. Turpin, Esq.,

      Sec. Siemens Sports Club,

      7, Cheriton Drive,

      London. S.E. I8

      Fitters Shop

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      BAWLA items:

      1947 BAWLA headed letter from Hon. Sec. Oscar State informing Mr. Turpin that he has been granted life membership of the B.A.W.L.A. and that along with the letter are two cloth badges and a special order form for the weight lifting events in the 1948 Olympic Games (order form and cloth badges etc. not present). 


      Six programmes:

      BAWLA 13/12/1947 'British Amateur Weight Lifting Championships' programme.

      BAWLA 8/5/1948 'British Olympic Championships' programme. 
      (With some results in pen.)

      BAWLA 9/10/1948 'British Amateur Weight Lifting Championships' programme.

      (With some results and alterations etc. in pen.)

      BAWLA 23/4/1949 'British Olympic Weight-Lifting Championships' programme.

      (With results in pen.)

      BAWLA 25/6/1949 British Olympic Weight Lifting Championships' programme.

      (With results etc. in pen.)

      BAWLA 6/5/1950 British Olympic Championships programme (with results in pen.)

      (Adverts for 'The Weightlifter and Body-Builder' & 'Health & Strength' journals to rear.)


      1950 edition BAWLA 44 page handbook with image of "James Hallday, Champions of Champions, 1949" to front.

      Coverless c.1948 BAWLA 48 page handbook.

      Envelope from Honorary Secretary Frederick Taylor, dated 1949, containing BAWLA Life Membership Card, BAWLA enamel badge & compliments slip. 

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      Health & Strength items:

      1949 envelope containing two H & S welcome 'packs' for two new members. Each packs consists of welcome letter, certificate, objects & rules leaflet and booklet. 

      1949 envelope, letter & photograph with negative from the Health & Strength League letting Lgr. G. E. Turpin know that the returned photo will be appearing in the magazine at some future date, signed by Laurie [Webb].

      H & S letter to 'Secretary' sent with [absent], a leaflet & brochure for the H & S League's 1951 National Summer Festival and Prestatyn Holiday Camp where the Festival is being held that year to be displayed "on your notice board".

      Membership welcome letter from H & S League with Organiser Laurie Webb stamp.

      1934 H & S membership 'certificate' to G. E. Turpin, hand-signed by Registrar #. Gent.

      1941 H & S membership 'certificate' to George Deforges, hand-signed by Organiser Laurie Webb.

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      Other items:

      Roughly 6 x 8 inch photograph of George Turpin in black shorts and friend in trunks plus original negative plus few other small photos and negatives.

      The Weightlifter & Bodybuilder magazine Vol.6, No.2, February 1952.

      Advertising flyer/order form for the book "Olympic Weight-Lifting

      with Body Building for All" by Jim Halliday, published by Pullum and Son [1950]. 

      1936 "Geo. E. Turpin" Medical Card in envelope.

      1947 envelope containing  

      Photo of 'Anita Sandra Age 41/2 months' sent to George [Turpin] Sept. 1944.

      1952 Telegram in envelope letting Mr. Turpin know that "LIFTING EDINBOROUGH TOMORROW CAIRO ON TELEVISIN TONIGHT - RONALD "

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      Condition:

      Envelopes and wallets generally tatty. Baby photograph browned and tatty. Wear and discolouration to programmes with some results filled in. Pin flattened on B.A.W.L.A. badge. Staples rusted and covers detached from 1950 BAWLA handbook. Staples rusted and covers missing to c.1948 BAWLA handbook. Collection weight c.390 grams.


      • As it is sometimes difficult to properly judge the look and condition of an item from the description and photos alone, please feel free to bid knowing that you can return the item post free if you are not entirely pleased with your purchase. 

      • Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions.
    • Combined shipping available at cost. 

    • Welsh Bridge Books & Collectables is a bricks and mortar shop located alongside the River Severn at Shrewsbury, in a beautiful 16th Century building housing three floors of interesting and eclectic books and collectables for sale. If you're in Shropshire please pop by and say hello! Thank you.