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!