1896 Collingwood Premiership Medal with Magpie Engraving

Collingwood Premiership Medal - 1896, 15ct yellow gold, Maltese Cross shape with front engraved with magpie, 'Premiers' & '1896', reverse engraved 'Collingwood F.C., Presented by J.Cross Esq, To W.S. Strickland, Cap't'. Hallmarked three part mark for Robert Robertson & Son [Melbourne 1877-1921]. The medal has been modified on the reverse to accommodate a hook and pin. Provenance: The family, by descent. William 'Bill' Strickland (1864 – 1959) was a centreman who started his career with Brunswick F.C. before joining Victorian Football Association side Carlton in 1885, playing in their 1887 premiership. He missed the 1889 season after rolling his ankle in a practice match, but returned in 1890. He transferred to the newly established team, Collingwood, at the end of 1892 due to internal dissent and dissatisfaction at Carlton. After arriving at Collingwood, he became the club's captain, and led the club to the 1896 Vfa premiership after they defeated South Melbourne in a premiership play-off, which was also his 200th career match. In 1897 he was Collingwood's first ever VFL captain, and lead them to third place before retiring. He returned to the VFL in 1904 as coach, and again briefly in 1908. He was also involved in Sydney Australian rules football for many years. He was inducted into the Collingwood Hall of Fame in 2017. [His medal for this honour is one of the following lots.], The 1896 Victorian Football Association season was the 20th season of the Australian rules football competition. It was the final season in which the Association was the highest level of senior football competition in Victoria, with eight of its strongest members leaving the league and establishing the rival Victorian Football League from 1897. The season was opened on 2 May, and concluded on 3 October with a playoff match for the premiership between the top two teams, in which Collingwood defeated South Melbourne by one goal. It was Collingwood's first Vfa premiership. Another example of this rare medal was sold in our February 2016 Sports Memorabilia auction. It was the medal awarded to Herman Dohrman who played 22 games for Collingwood in 1895-96. The medal brought $15,000 + Buyer's Premium.