Sports Memorabilia Set, ca. 1902–1909 – Austrian Membership Card & Enamel Competition Medal

Historical Sports Ephemera

This rare set of sports memorabilia, consisting of a competition medal and a membership card, offers a vivid glimpse into early 20th‑century athletic culture in Central Europe. The membership card originates from the 1st Leipolstadt Athletes Club, Vienna, issued to Jakob Valasek, accompanied by a matching original CDV portrait recorded in Vienna — a valuable pairing that preserves both identity and provenance.

Construction & Materials

The medal, dated 1909, likely comes from competitions held in Břeclav, a South Moravian town situated on the Dyje River, near the border with Lower Austria. At the time, Břeclav belonged to the Austro‑Hungarian Empire. The medal features enamel decoration and embellishment with ruby stones, reflecting the ornate craftsmanship typical of early 20th‑century athletic awards.

The membership card shows period typography and club insignia, with the reverse documenting the athlete’s affiliation. Both items were acquired many years ago in Prague and remained in your private collection for a long time.

Historical Context & Collecting Significance

Around 1900–1910, athletic clubs flourished across the Austro‑Hungarian Empire, promoting gymnastics, running, and competitive sports. Memorabilia from these clubs — especially named membership cards, CDVs, and enamel medals — are highly sought after by collectors of sports history, Austro‑Hungarian ephemera, and museum‑quality artifacts.

This set stands out for its complete personal context, regional specificity, and excellent preservation, offering a rare insight into the intersection of identity, sport, and craftsmanship in the early 20th century.

Measurements

• Boxed set: not applicable

• Membership card & CDV: standard early 20th‑century format

• Medal: typical competition size (exact measurement not provided)