Lot 1018

Description

Ballaarat Cricket Club, 1862, handcrafted medal in silver (78mm star shape), a buckled garter imposed on a six pointed star with an early fire engine in high relief being the centrepiece, a fireman's helmet and fire fighting implements in the triangular points of the star which is framed with a fine ornamental border, with loop mount and suspension bar, engraved on obverse 'We Strive to Save', and on reverse 'Presented/to/S.Dempster/by the/Ballaarat Cricket Club/as/Winner/of the/Firemen's Race/26 Decr 1862'. An interesting and important item of Australiana, extremely fine and very rare.

Ex Spink Australia Sale 29 (lot 2120). The Ballaarat Cricket Club was founded in 1856. The oval was recognised as one of the finest in Australia. The 'All England' team usually played at Ballaarat including W.G.Grace in 1874. The Ballaarat Fire Brigade (located in Ballaarat East) was formed in 1856.