First prize in a bicycle race, 1884

[Ben Beam]

I inherited this, and thought some here might appreciate seeing it:

https://imgur.com/a/BVIhH

[Scattered Thumbs]

Cool. Was it inherited from someone in your family who won it?

[Ben Beam]

Yes, likely my great-grandfather. A prominent New York attorney who, according to family legend, fled the country when the cops came after him for some unknown crime. Among the papers I have are a lot of letters about the Italian Immigrants Association, and its suspected there was mafia involvement.

[Ben Beam]

A couple more items that might be of interest. A snuff box that has had the date "1874" carved into it, and a gold medal for first prize in a foot race from 1882. The medal weighs over 20 grams. Pretty nice prize for a foot race!

https://imgur.com/a/jTnww