Ancient, British and World Coins, Historical Medals and Banknotes

Medals Related to Motoring & Motor Sport, France, France, Automobile Club de France, Société d’Encouragement, 1895, a silver-gilt prize medal by J.-B. Daniel-Dupuis, naked female figure in chariot in the clouds, reverse tablet inscribed CALAIS-DOUVRES 1904 SIR WILLIAM CRUNDALL, wreath behind, 68mm (PBE 95; cf. BDW 9, 665). Tiny test mark on obverse rim, otherwise as struck, rare; in original maroon and gilt blocked case, initials WC inscribed on front

Sir William Henry Crundall, Kt (1847-1934), lived at Kearsney, near Dover, Kent; was proprietor of William Crundall & Co Ltd, timber merchants, Dover; JP for Dover and county of Kent; Chairman of the Dover Harbour Board; President of the Dover branch of the Conservative Party; served as Mayor of Dover for 12 years.
Despite the civic connection which may have spawned the award of this medal, it is presumed that Crundall was a motorist in his own right at the time, which would make this a genuinely early British motoring award