1920 National Motorcycle Gypsy Tour Watch Fob

[DeArmitt Pa]

Its been a while but Bedford Bob and I were at a house built around the 1880's. We really didn't find a whole lot. My finds of the day were a 1909 wheatie, not pictured. The other is a 1920 National Motorcycle Gypsy Tour Watch Fob. The information that I have gathered so far suggests that these were actually awards to the winner? of that tour going from one location to another. It was actually part of a ribbon badge, this was later cut off and wore as a fob. The earliest one I have found online is a 1917, so this is a fairly early piece of motorcylce memorabilia for the gypsy tours.

When I first scanned the target I was surprised to see 1-46 on the E-Trac, I was thinking big silver or big copper trash, It was down about 6 inches lying flat in the bottom of the hole. The owner was standing there and wanted a look see, he expressed some interest in it. He has an extensive background in motorcycles, so I will be returning this piece to him as appriciation for letting us hunt his property. Thanks for looking.

 

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[Theakiki]

That's really cool!

 

[Mackaydon]

Great find !!
One sold for $230 here:
http://www.proxibid.com/asp/LotDetail.asp?ahid=2111&aid=23879&lid=6663196#

 

[cntrydncr1]

that is an awesome find!

 

[Mackaydon]

In 1917, the Federation of American Motorcyclists (FAM) sanctioned its first official Gypsy Tours. A Gypsy Tour was an overnight event, with organized road rides and other activities of interest to motorcycle enthusiasts, where groups of riders would converge on a favorite destination. The term Gypsy was used because the riders would travel long distances, and often sleep in tents around a campfire along the way, much like the Hollywood stereotype. Gypsy Tours were held in various parts of the country, and typically occured on the same weekend every year. The "National" Gypsy Tour referred to the whole series of these events.

The purpose of the Gypsy Tours was to provide a good time for the riders, and favorable publicity for their sport.
Here's the complete story along with pics of each years' award: http://www.weirsbeach.com/Largejpgs/bikeweekguidecovers.html
Don....

 

[DeArmitt Pa]

I knew someone here would know more than I found. Thanks for the superb information.

 

[RandyNorthridgeCa]

What a sweet find! To bad you had to give that one up but it was a very nice thing for you to do. You have some good karma coming your way.

 

[River Rat]

W W!! That's a neat find...CONGRATS!

 

[artzstuff1]

Thats about as cool as it get's!!!!

 

[PikesPeakCharlie]

What a GREAT ribbion badge CONGRATS !!!!!

 

[DeArmitt Pa]

I have actually recieved some very good offers from a very interested collector, one or two made me drool. However, I am sticking to the original plan of returning it to the land owner for letting us hunt his property, more return trips planned. I never thought this piece would attract as much attention as it has.

 

[Mackaydon]

Your integrity is to be respected; well done!
Don.....

 

[Mr Tuff]

killer fob!!!! MR TUFF

 

[fourleaf]

Very nice find! good hunting

 

[HighTone]

That is the neatest... coolest...most awesome watch fob ive ever seen...good karma comin your way forsure

 

[billpa]

Cool find

 

[johnnyblaze]

That is a killer find

Especially for the moto enthusiast like me..

Blaze

 

[7creeks]

Cool find

 

[JimDon]

One of thee coolest fobs I've seen. Tell the land owner you have an interested collector and see if he wants the fob or the cash. I bet he takes the cash.

 

[mustangroxie]

I found a 1924 Gypsy Tour fob this past weekend. It's in pretty bad shape, the front looks way better than the back. How exciting! I found it at an old homestead site, just digging for bottles and jars.