Grossglockner Rennen, St. Christopher plaque, 1935

Richard Placht (Austrian, 1880-1962)

‘Grossglockner Rennen, 1935, Semperit Cord’

A large and beautifully observed driver’s presentation plaque for the inaugural International Grossglockner race, held in Austria on August 4th, 1935. The octagonal silvered-bronze plaque features a central St. Christopher in relief, and is framed within a stepped octagonal mount, gold leaf frame, and glazed. Signed in the cast, R. PLACHT.

Overall frame size: 10 x 9 inches (26 x 23 cm)

Limited to only 75 participants, the 1935 race attracted several formidable international drivers including Luigi Villoresi in his FIAT, Richard ‘Dick’ Seaman in his powerful ERA, and Christian Kautz in an Alfa-Romeo 1750. The winner of the event was Italian Mario Tadini in his Alfa-Romeo P3 for Scuderia Ferrari, in 14:42.72 minutes.

The medallist Richard Placht was born in Kratzau, Bohemia but spent the majority of his life in Austria. In 1904 he entered the service of the engraving department of the Vienna Main Mint, of which he was head from 1916. Placht worked primarily on portrait plaques, sports medals, christening plaques and circulation coins. The Vienna Museum of Military History retains 15 embossed medals and cast plaquettes by Placht in their permanent collection and his works also feature in the collection of the British Museum in London.

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