{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-victoria-insurance-company-table-tennis-tournament-1st-prize-wall-plaque-for-mens-doubles-dated-december-1939","title":"Original German WWII Victoria Insurance Company Table Tennis Tournament 1st Prize Wall Plaque for Men's Doubles, Dated December 1939","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal 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 \u003cem\u003eSpiele und Sport\u003c\/em\u003e (sports and games) award medallion mounted to a wooden wall plaque. The engraved presentation plate records a \u003cstrong\u003e1st Prize\u003c\/strong\u003e award associated with the \u003cstrong\u003eBSG Victoria-Ver.\u003c\/strong\u003e, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eT.T.T. BSG-Victoria-Ver.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e8.-10. Dez. 1939\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1. Pr. A-M.D\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe abbreviations, expanded, read as follows:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eTisch-Tennis-Turnier Betriebssportgemeinschaft Victoria-Versicherung\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e8-10 Dezember 1939\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e1. Preis Austragung - Männer Doppel\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ewhich translates to\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eTable Top Tennis Tournament, Company Sports Community, Victoria Insurance Company\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e8-10 December 1939\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e1st Prize, Men's Doubles Competition\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCompany sports organizations, or \u003cem\u003eBetriebssportgemeinschaften\u003c\/em\u003e, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCondition 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor 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 \u003cstrong\u003e4 5\/8\"\u003c\/strong\u003e plated sports medallion, engraved \u003cstrong\u003e8.-10. Dez. 1939\u003c\/strong\u003e presentation plate, \u003cstrong\u003e1st Prize\u003c\/strong\u003e designation, apparent Victoria-Versicherung company association, and attractive wall mounted format give it both historical interest and excellent display value.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45942938370117,"sku":"ONAC25SD0510","price":295.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONAC25SD0510__01.jpg?v=1791377463","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-victoria-insurance-company-table-tennis-tournament-1st-prize-wall-plaque-for-mens-doubles-dated-december-1939","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}