Not currently on display at the V&A

Medal

1892-1893 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This medal was awarded to the acrobat and trapeze artist, Fred Fitzroy who was working with his sister. The two children were given medals for their "daring and clever performances on the trapeze" . They performed all over the country from 1889 - 1895 under the title of the "Two Fitzroys" or the "Flying Fitzroys". The family name was Munday but Fitzroy, Fred's middle name became his professional name. His sister used the name Miss Adeline Patty. Her family name was Adeline Martha Munday. After 1895 the youngest sister joined the family act.

The V&A was given a small collection of medals awarded to Fred Fitzroy and a photograph of him aged about 12 is in the Theatre Museum. It appears to show this medal being worn. The medal itself was mass produced by a manufacturer in Birmingham. Fred and his sister received a number of medals in gold and silver in recognition of outstanding performances. By November 1891 it was reported that they had been given twelve gold and silver medals each and two watches.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Silver, form of shield within a shield
Brief description
Silver, Birmingham, 1892-3
Physical description
Medal, stamped silver, in the form of a shield with festoons of foliage either side and a fleur-de-lis at each corner, , in the centre, a smaller shield bearing engraved initials.
Dimensions
  • Length: 4.5cm
  • Width: 3.5cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • Engraved monogram FF for Freddy Fitzroy
  • irmingham hallmarks for 1892-3, (Anchor, date letter ‘s’, sterling).
  • Mark JG possibly for J. Gilbert & Co.
Credit line
David Fitzroy Gift
Object history
Gift - David Fitzroy
Subjects depicted
Summary
This medal was awarded to the acrobat and trapeze artist, Fred Fitzroy who was working with his sister. The two children were given medals for their "daring and clever performances on the trapeze" . They performed all over the country from 1889 - 1895 under the title of the "Two Fitzroys" or the "Flying Fitzroys". The family name was Munday but Fitzroy, Fred's middle name became his professional name. His sister used the name Miss Adeline Patty. Her family name was Adeline Martha Munday. After 1895 the youngest sister joined the family act.

The V&A was given a small collection of medals awarded to Fred Fitzroy and a photograph of him aged about 12 is in the Theatre Museum. It appears to show this medal being worn. The medal itself was mass produced by a manufacturer in Birmingham. Fred and his sister received a number of medals in gold and silver in recognition of outstanding performances. By November 1891 it was reported that they had been given twelve gold and silver medals each and two watches.
Collection
Accession number
M.46-1999

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Record createdFebruary 16, 2000
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