Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very attractive German WWII period company sports award for a table tennis tournament held in December 1939, consisting of a large plated metal Spiele und Sport (sports and games) award medallion mounted to a wooden wall plaque. The engraved presentation plate records a 1st Prize award associated with the BSG Victoria-Ver., apparently the company sports organization of the Victoria insurance concern. With its dated inscription, handsome matured patina, and unusual association with organized workplace athletics, this is an interesting piece of German civilian sporting history from the opening months of WWII.

The award consists of a 4 5/8" diameter plated metal award medallion mounted on a 7 7/8" tall x 6 5/8" wide wooden plaque for hanging on the wall. These were general awards used for all manner of competitions, and this example is marked with HB in a circle, and originally secured with three small nails to the board, though now the lower right nail is missing. There is a small plaque below it inscribed with the award information:

T.T.T. BSG-Victoria-Ver.
8.-10. Dez. 1939
1. Pr. A-M.D

The abbreviations, expanded, read as follows:

Tisch-Tennis-Turnier Betriebssportgemeinschaft Victoria-Versicherung
8-10 Dezember 1939
1. Preis Austragung - Männer Doppel

which translates to

Table Top Tennis Tournament, Company Sports Community, Victoria Insurance Company
8-10 December 1939
1st Prize, Men's Doubles Competition

Company sports organizations, or Betriebssportgemeinschaften, provided organized athletic and recreational competition within German workplaces. Table tennis was among the sports played in these organizations, and a presentation award such as this gives an unusually personal glimpse into company recreational life during the period. Unlike a generic sports medallion, the engraved plate ties this example to a specific organization, competition, prize placement, and three day event in December 1939.

Condition overall is very good, with an attractive matured patina to the wooden plaque and metal components. The plating on the large round medallion is very well retained overall, with some finish loss toward the bottom. The missing lower right securing nail is noted, but the medallion remains mounted and the entire award presents beautifully.

For the collector of German WWII home front material, period sports awards, company memorabilia, or unusual dated wall plaques, this is an especially appealing example. Its substantial 4 5/8" plated sports medallion, engraved 8.-10. Dez. 1939 presentation plate, 1st Prize designation, apparent Victoria-Versicherung company association, and attractive wall mounted format give it both historical interest and excellent display value.