Summary
Gilt medal with purple ribbon, issued in 1934 for the Centenary International Air Race. The medal may have been awarded to members of the ground staff or distributed as a promotional medal.
The race, from London to Melbourne, was sponsored by businessman and philanthropist Sir MacPherson Robertson, who had founded the largest confectionary business in the Commonwealth, MacRobertson Confectionary Manufacturers Ltd. The race route covered 18,240 km (11,330 miles) from England to Australia. All competitors were required to land at Baghdad, Allabad, Singapore, Darwin and Charleville. Prizes for the race included £10,000 and a gold cup for the overall winner. English team C.W.A. Scott and T. Campbell Black were the eventual winners, flying through pylons at Flemington Racecourse in front of 40,000 spectators and landing at Laverton. Eight planes failed to finish the race. Gilman and Baines were tragically killed when their Fairy Fox crashed near Foggia, Italy.
Physical Description
Gilt medal, with 2 bars and purple ribbon. The top bar has the MacRobertson signature.
Obverse Description
Bust of Sir MacPherson Robertson facing right wearing suit and tie; around, INTERNATIONAL AIR RACE 1934 in small letters on truncation, STOKES
Reverse Description
Map showing route of Air Race from London to Melbourne, over Asia, LONDON / TO / MELBOURNE; on Indian Ocean, 1934 / 1935
Edge Description
Plain
More Information
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Collection Names
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Collecting Areas
Numismatics & Philately, Public Life & Institutions, Transport
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Acquisition Information
Purchase
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Date Issued
1934 AD
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Issued By
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Mint
Stokes & Sons, Melbourne, Greater Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1934
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Person Depicted
Sir MacPherson Robertson - MacRobertson Pty. Ltd., Victoria, Australia, 1934
see CDC Proposal -
Date of Event
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Series
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Material
Gilt
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Axis
12
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Overall Dimensions
36 mm (Width), 90 mm (Height), 27.85 g (Weight)
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Exhibition Collection Management
90 mm (Length), 36 mm (Width)
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Shape
Round with loop, bar and ribbon
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References
Carlisle (1983), reference # 1934/5
[Article] Jewell, Ray T. 1988. The MacRobertson (Victorian) Centenary Air Race. Journal of the Numismatic Association of Australia. 4 (March): 3-11.
[Article] Cavill, Kenneth. 2000. The MacRobertson International Air Races of 1934 : a Centenary Celebration and a Forgotten Trophy. Australian Antique Collector. (June-December 2000)
[Article] Jenkin, H. V. 1986. The Melbourne Centenary Air Race. Australian Numismatist. 33-42.
[Book] Carlisle, Leslie J. 1983. Australian commemorative medals and medalets from 1788.
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Keywords
Air Races, Celebrations, Centennial Air Race, London to Melbourne, 1934, Flights, Melbourne Centenary, 1935, Victoria Centenary, 1934-1935
