Australian Historical Medals (Contââ‚

Lot 1278    SESSION 4 (John Chapman Collection, 4.30pm Tuesday)    Australian Historical Medals (Cont’d,

Estimate $7,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $7,000

MELBOURNE CENTENARY AIR RACE, 1934, in gold (18ct, 24.1gms, 34mm) with suspension ring, blue ribbon and gold brooch bar (9ct, 6gms) with MacRobertson signature logo, by Stokes (C.1934/5 variant), obverse, bust of Sir MacRobertson - International Air Race 1934, reverse, map showing the flight plan followed - London / to / Melbourne / 1934 / 1935. This medal was won by C.J.(Jimmy) Melrose, the young South Australian pilot who had flown solo in his DH Pussmoth named 'My Hildergarde', and had taken second prize in the handicap race. The only Australian to finish within the prescribed time. Jimmy Melrose was awarded the Jubilee Medal (GVR) 1935. Sold with 1937 Coronation Medal awarded to Jimmy Melrose's mother (Jimmy had been killed on 5th July 1936 when on a charter flight to Darwin, his plane exploded over Melton, Victoria). Both medals polished, very fine and very rare.

Ex Spink Australia Sale 25 (lot 1961). Twenty started in this great race and only twelve finished the race within

the 16 calendar days allowed, the race being won by the Englishmen Scott and Campbell-Black in a DeHavilland Comet.

Twenty nine medals were believed struck Note the Coronation Medal 1937 could not be awarded posthumously but an

award was made to Mrs Hilda Melrose, mother of James Charles Melrose, Airman. References: N.A.A. Journal Vol 4,

1988 (Ray Jewell p.3-11); 'The Jimmy Melrose Story - Australia's Youngest Air Ace' by Eric Gunton, 1990; The World

of Antiques & Art 59th Edition, July-December 1990, 'The MacRobertson International Air Race of 1930s' p.72-75.