Commemorative, Historical and Art Medals

Brighton Athletic Club, a silver and gilt cross, arms in wreath, back named (Bicycle Race, Ashbury Challenge Cup (2 miles), B.J. Saunders, 1875), 53 x 40mm. Very fine, rare £80-100

The Ashbury Challenge Cup, valued at 25 guineas and engraved with the B.A.C. monogram, was presented to the club in 1875 by James Ashbury, Esq. This is a very early cycling award and B.J. Saunders was the first winner of it. In 1881, having been won three times in succession by (his brother?) E.A. Saunders, the award became his property. It is presumed the bicycles raced would have been of the fixed wheel variety