Kazimierz Laskowski (1899-1961) - sportsman, activist, educator. At first he played rugby, he was also vice-champion of the Polish Army in modern pentathlon in 1926, but the most important was always fencing (all weapons), in which his first success was the Junior Championship in Warsaw (in 1917). In 1923-37 he was a multiple champion of the Polish Army, several times champion and vice-champion of Poland, and in 1928 at the Olympic Games in Amsterdam, with the saber team, he won a bronze medal. After World War II, in 1949-52, as a fifty-year-old, he was still an active athlete, performing in CWKS Legia Warsaw and winning vice-championship titles in saber and sword. An active sports activist - secretary in the Polish Boxing Association(created in 1923), AZS, in 1922 he participated in the ceremonial fencing academy in Lviv, which resulted in the establishment of the Polish Fencing Association. Long-time referee of boxing and fencing competitions. One of the pioneers of boxing teaching, co-founder of the Polish school of fencing, educator of numerous players and coaches. Many times decorated and awarded.
Handwritten dedication in pen (stating: To colleague Gracjan Lepianko in memory of the first boxing titles won together in 1922, joint pioneering work in this sport and joint training in the physical and thrilling sport of fencing. KLaskowski_1960.) under a 9.1 x 6.4cm photograph, mounted in a 22.4 x 15.4 cm sheet , on the verso of which is stamped: Gabinet for the Repair of Works of Art and Artistic Objects Gracjan Lepianko Warsaw, Krak.-Przedm. 10.
Condition: sheet with minor creases, soiling, photograph with creased corners (from dry mounting), minor scratches and soiling on surface.
Gracjan Lepianko (1905 - 15 May 1991) - a Warsaw restorer who ran the Office for the Repair of Works of Art and Artistic Objects at 10 Krakowskie Przedmieście Street for several decades. He graduated from the Schools of Drawing and Painting at 9 Wierzbowa Street, the School of Applied Art at Chmielna Street and the School of Decorative Arts at Myśliwiecka Street, obtaining the title of master decorative painter and master of artistic metal products. He began studies at the Academy of Fine Arts, but the financial situation forced him to interrupt his studies and take up a job. He became self-employed in 1931 and changed locations several times(before, 1952, he ended up in Krakowskie Przedmieście). He was passionate about sports, training amateur boxing and wrestling. During World War II, a passion for reviving "dead"/destroyed objects awoke in him. He not only repaired but also collected antiques. After the war he became very popular, there were films about him, mentions in the press and guidebooks. Visited by numerous celebrities(of many fields), who sometimes left commemorative entries.
