From a forgotten box in my office closet and a Bisbee estate southeast of Tucson some years ago is this associated pair of 19th Century American track and field award medals - a visually compelling duo. Both of these are of contemporary construction and almost certainly awarded to the same competitor. The more opulent solid silver medal is from the Equinox Games, held during August of 1895 - it was awarded for "RUNNING HIGH JUMP" and so engraved to a rather substantial suspender bar clasp. This overtly attractive prize was crafted by "ROBERT STOLL / 19 JOHN ST." of New York City, a top tier engraver and die maker of the time. Stoll's upscale efforts were especially well regarded among "The Four Hundred" - he held a contract with the prestigious New York Athetic Club. There is a clear "STERLING" (actually struck twice), though it is obviously precious metal. The companion award is a copper gilt Florian cross with rocker engraved and stamp work embellishments - it has "HOP STEP & JUMP" engraved to the face of its suspender bar clasp and a quaint running man depiction applied to the center of the cross. This one is by "BERNARD / 8 AVE N.Y." I should mention both have period appropriate T-pin and C-clasps. Please keep in mind these were kept together in the family for eleven decades before I acquired them (its now thirteen), something that should not be lost on those who value deeds as much as their tokens of commemoration. Weight of the Stoll silver medal is very good at about 16.3 grams on my portable digital scale - the Bernard medal is about 6.8 grams. Condition of the duo is quite fine with a nice aura of time and a great look. While genuinely "won and worn", they were apparently put away just shortly after leaving the winner's podium (be aware I have avoided every urge to refresh away or "improve"upon any natural toning - you want that done you do it). The Stoll made silver medal is exceedingly well preserved with some deep rainbow patination. The gilt surfaces of the Bernard medal have mellowed with time, though shows little in the way of purposeful wear. One loop of the suspended cross is slight open one side from a misalignment of the original hand drilling. I'm mentioning that simply for absolute accuracy. A look at the pics should give a good idea of appearance and condition. Size of the Stoll Equinox Games silver medal is about 2 1/4 in. vertical on the dangle. The suspender bar is about 1 9/16 in. horizontal, and the pendant disk about 1 3/8 in. across. The Bernard medal is about 2 1/8 in. vertical on the dangle and 1 19/32 in. horizontal at its suspender bar. If you seek out better antique American athletic awards as artful symbols of perseverance, or simply wish a tangible link to New York competition during the Gilded Age, these will have great meaning for you.
