A Scion Society of The Baker Street Irregulars
The Medals of the Hansoms of John Clayton
“We hired a hansom …”
– The Adventure of the Naval Treaty (NAVA)
Recently, we posted a HolmeWork Assignment asking about the 1997 DISI Award Medals, and Brad Keefauver, the 41st Garrideb, was quick to respond that DISI was the Downstate Illinois Sherlock Invitational that took place for two years, starting in 1996. Brad then posted on his Sherlock Peoria blog about DISI and other medals issued by the host scion, the Hansoms of John Clayton. From that, we learn there are four different designs and a total of 8 different medals available. You are encouraged to read Brad’s post to learn about the Hansoms, DISI and some of the goings-on that led to some of these medals as it is an interesting story.
We will list these medals in the order they were issued.
The 1996 DISI Award Medals (3 varieties)
OBVERSE: (right-facing bust profle of Holmes with deerstalker cap and pipe, within a jagged black triangle) / The Downstate Illinois / SHERLOCKIAN / INVITATIONAL / 1st Place
REVERSE: (blank)
Round, 42mm, white metal (gold colored), suspended from a 19mm wide red, white and blue ribbon
OBVERSE: (right-facing bust profle of Holmes with deerstalker cap and pipe, within a jagged black triangle) / The Downstate Illinois / SHERLOCKIAN / INVITATIONAL / 2nd Place
REVERSE: (blank)
Round, 42mm, white metal (silver colored), suspended from a 19mm wide red, white and blue ribbon
OBVERSE: (right-facing bust profle of Holmes with deerstalker cap and pipe, within a jagged black triangle) / The Downstate Illinois / SHERLOCKIAN / INVITATIONAL / 3rd Place
REVERSE: (blank)
Round, 42mm, white metal (bronze colored), suspended from a 19mm wide red, white and blue ribbon
The jagged triangle is intented to represent a mountain peak, symbolizing “a new pinnacle of Sherlockian achievement,” as Illinois is noted for their many mountains…..
The 1997 DISI Award Medals (3 varieties)
OBVERSE: (right-facing bust profle of Holmes with deerstalker cap and pipe, within a black triangle) / D I S I / First Place
REVERSE: (blank)
Round, 42mm, white metal (gold colored), suspended from a 19mm wide white and blue ribbon
OBVERSE: (right-facing bust profle of Holmes with deerstalker cap and pipe, within a black triangle) / D I S I / Second Place
REVERSE: (blank)
Round, 42mm, white metal (silver colored), suspended from a 19mm wide white and blue ribbon
OBVERSE: (right-facing bust profle of Holmes with deerstalker cap and pipe, within a black triangle) / D I S I / Third Place
REVERSE: (blank)
Round, 42mm, white metal (bronze colored), suspended from a 19mm wide white and blue ribbon
Medals were presented to the team members that placed in the individual challenges that made up the DISI competitions. The team that won the overall competition was presented a framed version of all three medals
The 2000 HJC Y2K Medal
OBVERSE: (right-facing bust profle of Holmes wearing a deerstalker cap with a pipe, with an image of a hansom cab) / Y2K / +2704 /HJC
REVERSE: (blank)
Round, 42mm, white metal (pewter colored), suspended from a 19mm wide white and blue ribbon
Remember when Y2K was a big deal?
The 2002 HJC 25th Anniversary Medal
OBVERSE: (left facing image of a hansom cab) / 25 / (right-facing bust profle of Holmes with deerstalker cap and pipe) Years of (left-facing bust profle of Holmes with deerstalker cap and pipe) / Hansoms
REVERSE: (blank)
Round, 42mm, white metal (pewter colored), suspended from a 19mm wide blue ribbon
Our thanks to Brad Keefauver, the 41st Garrideb, for the information and the photos!
[…] Update (4/25/2020): Thanks to Brad Keefauver’s answer below, we now know this is one of 4 medal designs issued by the Hansoms of John Clayton and you can read about all of those medalsby clicking HERE. […]