'Special' 19th century Celtic league medal to go under the hammer
Historic prize described as ‘museum quality’
It is a unique slice of Scottish football history, given its direct link to one of most influential figures in the game.
In what has been described as one of the most important Celtic FC artefacts ever to come to the market, one of the club’s first ever Scottish league championship winners medals is to go under the hammer.
The medal was presented to Willie Maley, one of the most celebrated figures in the Glasgow club’s history, after the side triumphed in the 1892/93 season.
The 15 carat gold and enamel medal, engraved with Maley’s name, is expected to command up to £20,000 when it goes up for sale later this month.
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Budds Auctions, which is overseeing the sale, said the medal’s history, and its ties with Maley in particular, made it a highly sought after item. “Willie Maley is one of the most important figures in the history of the club,” it explained.
Maley played for Celtic as a midfielder, during which he won the club’s maiden league title, as well as the Scottish Cup. But he secured his place in history after being appointed as its first ever manager.
Over a remarkable 43 year long tenure, he led the side to 16 Scottish league titles, 14 Scottish Cup victories, and several other honours.
Renowned for his emphasis on developing young talent, Maley signed seminal players like Jimmy Quinn and Patsy Gallacher from the ranks of junior football, and played a key role in shaping the club’s identity and traditions.
David Convery, head of sporting memorabilia at Budds, said the unique medal had come from a private collection and was among the highlights of his career to date.
“It was the first - they had won competitions before then but this was the first league winners medal, and to be the one presented to the legend Willie Maley makes it even more special,” he explained.
“It’s a really exciting find. It was in a private collection which the family are now selling off. In those days the medals were designed by the club, so it’s completely unique as well.
“It’s a museum quality piece and in almost 40 years of working in sports memorabilia it’s certainly one of the most exciting pieces I’ve found.”
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Other notable lots in the sale include a Scotland shirt worn by the mercurial winger, Jimmy Johnstone, during the national team’s 2-0 victory over England at Hampden in 1974. It is expected to sell for as much as £3,500.
Another key lot is a shirt worn by Rangers legend, Sandy Jardine, during his side’s Scottish Cup final win over Aberdeen in 1978. The Umbro shirt, featuring Jardine’s squad number, is expected to reach up to £3,000.
A gold and enamel Scottish Cup winners medal, which was presented to Alex Fraser of Rangers in 1903, is also headed to auction, with an estimate of between £2,000 and £3,000.
The Scottish sporting memorabilia live auction is being held at Glasgow’s Trades Hall on 12 May.
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