Ancient, British and World Coins, Historical Medals and Banknotes

Sporting Interest: Motor Boating: Marine Motoring Association, 1926, Duke of York’s International Trophy for 1 1/2 Litre Class Motor Boats, plated bronze plaque, unsigned, winged Victory over speedboat, reverse THIS MEDAL HAS BEEN AWARDED TO FRED MAY IN RECOGNITION OF THE MERITORIOUS PERFORMANCE OF HIS 1 1/2 LITRE RACING MOTOR BOAT, “2L.O”, 53 x 35mm. Very fine, an early award for this sport (£30-50)

2LO was the call sign used by the London station of Britain’s first regular broadcasting service, which was originated by Marconi from Writtle, Chelmsford, on 14 February 1922. It is not certain if Fred May had a direct connection with Marconi: GEC-Marconi have kindly confirmed that he was not associated with the company in a senior position in its earliest years.

The quest for speed on land, which permeated through the development of motor racing at Brooklands in the immediate post-World War I years, had a spin-off in that many famous racing drivers of the time, including the likes of Sir Henry Segrave and Sir Malcolm Campbell, also pursued a passion for speedboat racing. This particular water sport attracted a large following from the mid-1920s, although medallic awards to participants in speedboat competitions from this period are not often seen