Sign In | Verify Account  

The trusted choice for expert valuations, auctions and sales since 1993.

Balmain 1915 Cap Bill Kelly Badge & Premiership medal.
Listing # 1730

 

Bill Kelly Collection - Framed 1915 Balmain premiership cap; Medal given to Kelly in 1915, which is on cap and his 1915 Premiership medallion.

In 1915 Balmain won their first premiership. First grade went through the season undefeated - the first time any club had achieved this. The club also became the first to win all three premierships in the one year. A rare feat in the long history of Rugby League! (Other clubs have been Souths in 1925 and Saints in 1963); Balmain repeated the feat in securing all three grades in 1916. Back to back clean sweeps has never been achieved since. A golden area for the Tigers; who won first grade again in 1917 - three in a row.

Bill Kelly was captain. The inscription on the medal, in the shape of a shield, on the cap states - 'To B. Kelly; For Consistent play 1915' The cap is in six segments of alternating gold and black velvet with metal-wired tassel and embroidery. On the front segment is ‘BFC’ and ‘1915’ on the peak. The cap is in excellent condition. The internal lining is intact, the label reads ‘ Shirt Department, Farmer & Company Limited. Victoria House SYDNEY’ The peak, tassel and velvet is in excellent condition.

The lot also includes the premiership medal awarded to Bill Kelly for 1915. The front of the medal show a footballer running wearing a yellow and black jersey. Written in enamel is ‘NSW 1915 RFL’. Laurels and two kangaroos also adorn the front of the medal. On verso is engraved ‘First Grade Premiers, Balmain D.R.L.F.C, W. Kelly Captain’ Made by Harry Young 9ct.

From the Bill Kelly Collection. Bill Kelly New Zealand 1912-1913 17 games: Balmain 1914-15 27 games; NSW 1914-1915 2 games; Australia 1914 1 game.

In 1997 when the ANZAC Test (between Australia and New Zealand) was instituted; Bill Kelly was honoured as the 'best and fairest medal' was named after him. Bill; was a provincial rugby player and league international in New Zealand before also representing Australia in Rugby League. He is one of a handful of players to do represent both counties in rugby league (H.H. Messenger being another) Kelly captained and coached the Tigers to an undefeated season - winning the club's first premiership in 1915. After his retirement he coached numerous clubs University (1923-24); Newtown (1936-37) - winning the City Cup in 1937; Balmain (1938-1943) winning the premiership in 1939; St George (1944) and Canterbury (1945).

Cap has been filly restored by Internatioal Conservation services at Chatswood.

Each auction will remain OPEN for 5 minutes after the last bid has been made.

In the final stages, do not solely rely upon emails to advise if you have been overbid, delays with servers can occur – please check the actual auction site.

Hammer price subject to a buyer’s premium of 11% (plus GST for local buyers) SPECIAL REDUCED BUYERS PREMIUM – see AUCTION INFORMATION for more details. Delivery charges on application.

Payment Details:

Cheque, Direct deposit or Credit card (MasterCard or Visa)

Sign in to view questions/answers.

This item has been viewed times.

4/27/2024 12:35:43 PM  Auction Terms  |   Privacy Policy  |   Shipping  |   About Us  |   Contact

Copyright © 2024 Michael Fahey - Sports Memorabilia Australia. All Rights Reserved. No part of this web page may be reproduced in any way, or by any means, without the prior written permission of Michael Fahey - Sports Memorabilia Australia.