United States. A Curtiss Marine Flying Trophy Commemorative Medal 1915

In solid bronze, weighing 426 grams, marked "REAL BRONZE" on the reverse, maker marked "MADE BY THEODORE B. STARR. INC." on the bottom edge, illustrating the Curtiss Marine Flying Trophy consisting of an angry swirling sea, spiraling upward to support the globe atop the fierce cresting waves, flanked on either side with large figures, with Neptune, the Ruler of the Waves, opposite Boreas, the Ruler of the Winds, each gazing upward at a billowing mass of cumulus clouds above which soars a Curtiss flying boat, inscribed "CURTISS MARINE FLYING TROPHY 1915" above and " WON BY AERONAUTICAL SOCIETY OF CALIFORNIA / OSCAR A. BRINDLEY, PILOT / COMPLIMENTS OF GLENN H. CURTISS" below, measuring 60.2 mm (w) x 97.5 mm (h) x 10.5 mm (d), very light contact, extremely fine.

Footnote:

1. It is believed that these smaller tombstone shaped bronze medals were awarded to the individual pilots who participated in the seaplane races of the period held off the California coast. These races were dangerous affairs replete with crashes and casualties and were observed with awe by a contemporary public fascinated with flying machines. In 1915, a Model TT was piloted by Oscar Brindley to win the Curtiss Marine Flying Trophy, for the longest flight within ten consecutive hours in the one day, covering 444 mi (710 km).

2. The actual Curtiss Marine Flying Trophy was a large creation in silver.

3. Oscar Brindley was born on November 21, 1885 and was a pioneering United States aviator, barnstormer, instructor and military pilot. He was trained at the Wright Brothers Flying School in Dayton Ohio. Having reached the rank of Major in the Army (Signal Corps), Brindley was killed May 2, 1916, at Dayton Ohio with Colonel Henry Damm while testing a new American-built Airco DH.4, the American version of the De Havilland DH-4. Reportedly the DH-4 dropped to the ground while making a turn at 400 feet (120 m).