Collecting Olympic Mascots

courtesy of Ingrid O'Neil Auctions

Although the advent of Games mascots is a relatively recent phenomenon, mascots in their many manifestations have become hugely popular and well-coveted by some collectors. The use of mascots started in the 1960s and played a minor role in the 1964 Winter Games held in Innsbruck. Since, their use and visibility have ballooned, both as promotional tools and as collectibles. Mascots also play an important role for the hobby since they are seen as a major draw attracting younger collectors.