SCP Auctions, Inc.
Timed Auction

Spring Premier Auction 2015

Wed, Apr 8, 2015 08:00PM EDT - Mon, Apr 27, 2015 12:30AM EDT
Lot 1303

1895 TWO MILE HANDICAP (CYCLING) 2ND PRIZE STERLING SILVER MEDAL WON BY W.S. CUMMINGS (HELMS/LA84 COLLECTION)

Unsold

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $10
$200 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$3,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$30,000 $2,500
$50,000 $5,000
$100,000 $10,000
$200,000 $20,000
$300,000 $25,000
$500,000 $50,000
ADDENDUM: LOT HEADING FROM CATALOG HAS BEEN UPDATED. THIS IS A CYCLING MEDAL.

Exquisite two-part 2nd place medal for a 2-mile cycling race in 1895 presented to W.S. Cummings. The 1890's are considered the "Golden Age of Cycling" as large organized races became very popular in Europe Japan and the U.S. At one point almost every major city in America had a velodrome for track racing events. It paved the way for the Tour De France which began in 1903 and continues to capture the attention of the sporting world.

The three sections of this delicate and intricately designed sterling silver medal are connected by four short chain links two between each section. The top section is an inscribed plaque with an openwork scroll design approx 1.5 cm by 4.5 cm. "W.S. CUMMINGS '95" appears on the front and a smaller "JOHN HARRIOTT - BOSTON" (designer/maker) is stamped on the back. The middle section is an eagle plaque surmounting a set of handlebars roughing the same size as the top. The bottom piece is even more elegantly crafted with a cyclist figure and wreath flanked with the inscriptions "2 MILE HANDICAP" above and "2ND PRIZE" down below. It has a round shape 5cm at its longest diameter. Altogether the 3-part medal is around 4 x 1.75 inches. Little minor blackening/rusting has occurred in a few areas but all chain links are completely intact. It remains in NM condition amazing for being 120 years old. This is one of the oldest and rarest cycling medals ever found in the hobby.

Includes a Letter of Provenance from the Helms Athletic Foundation/LA84 Collection.

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