Lot 672

Description

Caledonian Society's Sports trophy, 1884, an emblematic heart shaped shield in electrotype (approx 41x37cm), by Elkington, with suspension fittings on reverse for wall hanging, hollow back pressed metal in silvered copper with brass highlights, design featuring a resting lion at top facing left and at each side an angel, in the centre is a cherub between two discs, in these at the left are bicyclists on penny-farthing bicycles, at the right hurdlers and in a featured section below are runners, above the cherub is a recessed plaque inscribed, 'Won by W.Tregonning/at the Caledonian Societys Sports/Adelaide Oval 1884', below the runners is a company trademark at the left and at the right, 'Elkington & Co Fec'. Good very fine and rare.

The third annual sports of the South Australian Caledonian Society took place at Adelaide oval on Monday 14 April 1884 with about 9,000 in attendance including His Excellency the Governor Sir W.C.F.Robinson KCMG with his two daughters and his Aide-de-Camp. Among the sports was cycling. At the opening, 54 bicycles paraded representing the clubs of South Australia, Ariel, North Adelaide and Norwood.

The bicycle events excited the crowd the most. The Champion mile event with eight competitors caused great excitement and the final heat resulted in a magnificent contest between W.Tyler and H.Tregonning. Heat one was a dead heat and W.Tyler won the final by a narrow margin. However, the three and five miles handicap races, which were for one prize, resulted in another keen contest between Tyler and Tregonning. Ten cyclists competed on handicap. The first event was won by H.Tregonning (50 yds) from W.Tyler (scr) and T.Atkins (150 yds) in third place. The second event was won by T.Atkins (370 yds), who had a good handicap start, from H.Tregonning (90 yds) with W.Tyler (Scr) third. The competition was points based, so Tregonning (9 pts) was first, Atkins (8 pts) second and Tyler (7 pts) third.

Prizes for the day's events were distributed in the evening by Mrs Allan Campbell, wife of the Chief of the South Australian Caledonian Society, at a social gathering at the Adelaide Town Hall.