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Rare and beautiful piece of early American football history — a 10 karat gold football charm awarded to player B.V. Wakefield for his service as Fullback (F.B.) during the 1913 season.
The central emblem features a bold capital "S" — almost certainly the initial of the school or team that awarded this charm, whether a college such as Syracuse, Stanford, Sewanee, or Swarthmore, or a high school program beginning with "S." Identifying the school could significantly increase this piece's historical and collector value — perhaps you'll be the one to crack the mystery.
These personal award charms were presented to players at the high school and college level in the early 20th century and are increasingly difficult to find, especially in gold. This one dates to the golden age of early American football — the same era as Jim Thorpe, Knute Rockne, and the birth of the forward pass.
Engraved Details:Year: 1913Recipient: B.V. WakefieldPosition: F.B. (Fullback)Central emblem: Large "S"
Metal & Markings:Pendant acid tested positive for 10k gold. It is not marked.Weight: approximately 7 gramsClassic period jump ring and chain loop
Condition:Pre-owned in good condition, with lots of small scratches and wear, along with some denting from wear. It is over 110 years old with honest patina and wear consistent with the period. All engravings are sharp and fully legible. A wonderful display piece.
Who was B.V. Wakefield? We don't know for certain — and that's part of the charm. Somewhere out there is a family, a school, or a football historian who does. This piece deserves to find them.This is a one-of-a-kind artifact. Once it's gone, it's gone.
Ships carefully packaged and insured. Happy to answer any questions.Please Note: This is a genuine antique/vintage item. Descriptions regarding age, dating, and condition are made to the best of our professional ability and based on available research; however, they are estimates and are not guaranteed. We provide high-resolution photos as the primary tool for your evaluation. Please examine all images carefully, as they are considered the most important part of the description. We encourage you to ask any questions or request additional photos prior to purchase to ensure the item meets your expectations. Be assured, all items are fully returnable for any reason. We have 30+ years of experience and our customer response is very high.
