Aust. Historical Medals

Lot 770    Session 3 (2.30pm Tuesday)    Aust. Historical Medals

Estimate $5,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au

BLACK & WHITE WHISKY, Australian Rules award medal in 15ct gold (10.5gm; 36mm), obverse, voided six pointed star design, arms alternatively enamelled black and white, large centre disc with floral design in each angle, initial B engraved in centre (James Buchanan), the star tips overlap onto the edge band which is chased with a floral pattern, reverse, centre engraved, 'Presented to / G.F.A. / By / B & W Whisky Co / for best Goal Kicker / Season 1906 / won by W.Smith / Mines Rovers / 64 Goals.', base with 15ct hallmark of Willis & Son 1904, pin back fitting and with safety chain. In case of issue, enamel missing from two arms, otherwise nearly extremely fine and rare.

This gold award medal was given by Black & White Whisky, as denoted by the black and white enamel on the cross arms. Founded in 1879 by James Buchanan as Buchanan Blend it was marketed in a black bottle with a white label and hence, over time, customers started to refer to it as 'that black & white' whisky. Although it had another name change, customers still kept referring to it as the black & white whisky so Buchanan decided to change the name of his product to Black & White Whisky and also added the black Scottish terrier and the West Highland white terrier to the label. The award medal also bears the initial B in the centre and, of course, this represents the name of the founder, James Buchanan. The medal design produced by Australian silver and goldsmiths, Willis & Son, even has the appearance of a highland clan badge. As with most alcohol companies, sporting awards featured as a promotional aid and hence this award was made to the Goldfields Football Association (GFA) which existed in the years 1901-1907. Originally established in 1896 as Hannans District Football Association, it had a name change to GFA in 1900 and was the senior controlling body for AFL on the goldfields of Western Australia. Mines Rovers, with 37 senior flags, is the most successful club in the history of the Goldfields Football League. Mines Rovers was formed at Powell's Hotel, Kalgoorlie, on Thursday 30 March 1899 under the name of Mines. In its debut year in 1900 it won the Goldfields Football Association's premiership. During the first half of the 20th century, Goldfields' footballers were very prominent throughout the AFL community and Mines Rovers made a significant contribution in the way of representative players and as fierce competitors in the league competitions. The recipient of the Black & White Whiskey gold award medal in 1906 was W Smith, a character of the Goldfields' League. His popular nickname was 'The Poet' and he always took to the field wearing a hat of some kind. In the year that he made his debut with Mines Rovers, 1906, he established a competition record when he amassed 20 of his team's 25 goals in a match against Boulder Stars, a record that still stands. This was the same season that he won the Black & White Whisky medal for kicking the most goals in a season, 64 in total. 'The Poet' later moved to Kalgoorlie Railways club and after World War I he finished off his career with a couple of seasons playing for East Fremantle in the Western Australia Football League. It seems almost coincidental or should it be 'poetic', that the Mines Rovers' team colours worn by 'The Poet' Smith were black and white and he was the recipient of the Black & White Whisky medal, decorated with black and white enamel. It is unknown how many awards were made by Black & White Whisky to the GFA for best Goal Kicker however, since the GFA only existed for 7 seasons, there could not be more than seven. With research