Programme
Program 1904
 Program 1912
 Program 1924
 Program 1928
Olympic Games
 Amsterdam
1928
 
The Netherlands

As soon as the text of the general programme was approved by the International Olympic Committee,  copies were printed in five languages by Messrs.  VAN MUNSTER at Amsterdam. It was in connexion with these programmes that the policy of giving each branch of a sport distinguishing colour was applied, which was adhered to throughout the Games in regard to all printed matter, etc. Great advantage was derived from this policy, as it was possible to recognise at once any booklet or pamphlet connected with one or other branch of sport.
Cover of the daily programme, designed by Mr. C. J. VAN DER HOEF.

The daily programmes were printed in French and Dutch (in one) for Hockey and Football, while for the remaining sports French only was used. These programmes were for the greater part printed in the expensive hours of the night by the firm of JOH. MULDER at Gouda. It was not possible to definitely compile the programme for the following day until the evening, and as it was desirable to have the programmes on sale by 9 a.m., it was essential to have them printed at night, a fact which naturally incurred much expense.
 When the Committee had to determine how many daily programmes should be printed, it was soon seen that there was no real basis to work on. Sales would depend on the number of spectators in the first place, and in the second place on the amount of importance such spectators attached to having a record of the contestants and their performances. It was consequently decided, if possible, to fix the number each day, taking into account the desirability of having no shortage and not too much surplus. A favourable factor in this connexion was the fact that many programmes were valid throughout the Games, so that a reprint could be made at any time.

The total number of daily programmes printed was 285.216 of which 171.023 were sold, besides a large number being given away each day to reporters, photographers, film operators, the police, committee members, office staff - all of whom were performing some task which necessitated their being kept acquainted with the state of affairs. This accounted for about one fifth of the grand total.

The price of the daily programmes was fixed low (25 Dutch cents) so that it would suit everybody's purse.

(Source document:   Official Report 1928, page 136)





 
Olympic Programme:
 
1896 Athens 1900 Paris 1904 St. Louis 1906 Athens 1908 London 1912 Stockholm
1916 cancelled 1920 Antwerp 1924 Paris 1928 Amsterdam 1932 Los Angeles 1936 Berlin
1940 cancelled 1944 cancelled 1948 London 1952 Helsinki 1956 Melbourne 1956 Stockholm
1960 Rome 1964 Tokyo 1968 Mexico City 1972 Munich 1976 Montreal 1980 Moscow