Lot # 1736: 1917 Dieges & Clust Solid Gold Joe Thum Bowling Guard 25th Anniversary Watch Fob Presented to Bowling Pioneer Phil Lehrbach

Bowlers roll on with the acquisition of this 1917 Dieges & Clust Joe Thum Bowling Guard 25th Anniversary watch fob, presented to Phil Lehrbach. Both Thum and Lehrbach were pioneers of bowling, with Thum being particularly important to establishing bowling as a sport. Beginning in the 1880s, "Uncle Joe" Thum owned and operated bowling alleys in New York City. He was influential in establishing the rules, and his centrally located White Elephant bowling alley went a long way in popularizing the sport. Lehrbach won the inaugural Greater New York Individual Tournament in 1900, setting the bar for champion bowlers to come.

This well-preserved watch fob boasts a fantastic design. At center hangs a ten-pin medal, with the pins protruding from the perimeter, which is ringed by a wreath. At center of the medal, is a bowling bowl impressed with "25th Anniversary", encircled by the legend "Joe Thum Bowling Guard". This impressive medal dangles from a ribbon fitted with a bar and chain at top. The back of the medal announces "Banquet & Ball, April 12, 1917" in relief lettering, with "Phil Lehrback Honorary Captain", and "Solid Gold Dieges & Clust" engraved below. The total weigh is 22 grams, including the light as a feather ribbon. Condition is Ex-Mt+, with all elements presenting handsomely.