Coins, Historical Medals and Antiquities

Weekly Despatch, a silver award medal by D.G. Collins for Bladon, two cyclists racing left, a third behind, railway viaduct and trees in background, rev. wreath, named (100 Miles Cycle Race at Brooklands, Sept. 7 1907, won by F. Smith), hallmarked Birmingham 1907, 40mm. Extremely fine and toned, very rare; set in an ornamental loop mount incorporating a cycle wheel, original blue ribbon and suspender bar inscribed ‘Weekly Despatch 100 Miles Cycle Race Sept. 7th. 1907’, and in red case of issue by Bladon, Masonic Jeweller, 16 Clerkenwell rd, London E.C. £100-£150

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Art Medals formed by Dr Edith Greenwood (†1987).

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Brooklands, the famous 2.7 mile purpose-built banked motor racing track near Weybridge, was the brainchild of the entrepreneur Hugh Fortescue Locke King (1848-1926), who created it on his inherited estate. Opened on 17 June 1907, the track held its first race meeting on 6 July. On 7 September it witnessed the world’s first massed start cycle race, run over a distance of 100 miles. At the time cycle racing was, like car and motorcycle racing, banned from the UK’s public roads. Between the Wars several massed start cycle races were also staged at Brooklands. The 1907 event is commemorated in a present-day exhibition at the Brooklands Museum