Trophy [Harmon Trophy, 1937]
Maker and role
Jean Batten, Medalist
Roumanbona M'Divani, Artist
International League of Aviators, Commissioned by
Production date
15 Jul 1938
1937
See full details
Object detail
Accession number
2018.47
Production period
Description
A circular gilded bronze trophy. One side depicts a figure standing atop of a mountain, the figure's arm is raised and is holding a small plane in one hand and a bird in the other. Below this is an inscription: 'THE SILVER WINGS OF PEACE, HARMON TROPHY'. Visible on one edge of the trophy is the artist's signature: 'M'Divani'. The back of the trophy is inscribed: "LIGUE INTERNATIONALE DES AVIATEURS / ELECTS / JEAN BATTEN / AS ITS / WORLD CHAMPION AVIATRIX / FOR THE YEAR / 1937 / UNITED FOR PEACE / MEDAILLE D'HONNEUR"'.
The medal is accompanied by a plastic pouch containing a label and carrying an auction house sticker. The box is square, cardboard with a silver lid and white base.
The medal is accompanied by a plastic pouch containing a label and carrying an auction house sticker. The box is square, cardboard with a silver lid and white base.
Brief History
This medal, the Harmon Trophy, was awarded to Jean Batten CBE (1909-1982 ) in 1937 for her world record flight from Australia to England. Batten accomplished the flight in the record time of five days, nineteen hours and 15 minutes, and became the first person to hold the record for both the flight out to Australia and then back to England.
It marks the third time Batten was awarded one of these medals which were presented to aviators who accomplished extraordinary feats. At this time, the Harmon medals were administered by the International League of Aviators (Ligue Internationale des Aviateurs), an organization founded by American Clifford B Harmon to serve as "an agent for Peace and National security”. In 1935 Batten shared the honour of this medal with Amelia Earhart; in 1936 Batten was awarded the medal outright.
Several decades later, around 1966, this medal was gifted by Batten's brother, John Batten, to British aviator Sheila Scott OBE (1922-1988). In May 1966 Scott commenced her first solo round-the-world flight and, whilst in Auckland, New Zealand, she met Batten’s family and the medal was gifted by her brother. In 1967 Scott herself became the recipient of the Harmon Trophy for her successful round-the-world flight which set a new speed record for light planes.
In 1969 Scott joined the London to Sydney Air Race. It was here that she met Arthur Gibson, who was also participating in the race. . The pair become firm friends over the course of the race. The race stated from London on 17 December 1969 and would reach Australian on 2 January 1970. It was to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first flight from England to Australia on 12 November 1919. Jean Batten was one of the special guests at the race opening. During the race, Gibson assisted with a mechanical problem on Scott’s aircraft, but then found himself in distress. Eight days into the race, on Christmas Day 1969, the Gibson family in London received word of Gibson’s aircraft being lost. Fellow racers had plotted the route taken and believed the aircraft may have put down on one of the Indonesian islands. Fortunately, this was what had occurred and Gibson, along with the other racers, was able to resume the race.
It was during 1988 that the 1937 Harmon Trophy reappeared; this time at an auction. Scott was auctioning her belongings to raise funds for the cancer treatment she needed. The auction was held at Phillips Auction House in Mayfair, London, an internationally renowned auction house which specialised in fine art, furniture, and estate collections. Both Batten's 1937 medal and Scott's 1967 medal were auctioned, and these were purchased by Gibson. Gibson gifted the 1967 Harmon Trophy back to Scott and retained the 1937 Harmon Trophy awarded to Batten.
This Ligue Internationale des Aviateurs medal represents not only the world record achievements of Jean Batten, but the influence she had on future aviators, the allure of flight, and of a special friendship formed over a shared love of flight.
It marks the third time Batten was awarded one of these medals which were presented to aviators who accomplished extraordinary feats. At this time, the Harmon medals were administered by the International League of Aviators (Ligue Internationale des Aviateurs), an organization founded by American Clifford B Harmon to serve as "an agent for Peace and National security”. In 1935 Batten shared the honour of this medal with Amelia Earhart; in 1936 Batten was awarded the medal outright.
Several decades later, around 1966, this medal was gifted by Batten's brother, John Batten, to British aviator Sheila Scott OBE (1922-1988). In May 1966 Scott commenced her first solo round-the-world flight and, whilst in Auckland, New Zealand, she met Batten’s family and the medal was gifted by her brother. In 1967 Scott herself became the recipient of the Harmon Trophy for her successful round-the-world flight which set a new speed record for light planes.
In 1969 Scott joined the London to Sydney Air Race. It was here that she met Arthur Gibson, who was also participating in the race. . The pair become firm friends over the course of the race. The race stated from London on 17 December 1969 and would reach Australian on 2 January 1970. It was to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first flight from England to Australia on 12 November 1919. Jean Batten was one of the special guests at the race opening. During the race, Gibson assisted with a mechanical problem on Scott’s aircraft, but then found himself in distress. Eight days into the race, on Christmas Day 1969, the Gibson family in London received word of Gibson’s aircraft being lost. Fellow racers had plotted the route taken and believed the aircraft may have put down on one of the Indonesian islands. Fortunately, this was what had occurred and Gibson, along with the other racers, was able to resume the race.
It was during 1988 that the 1937 Harmon Trophy reappeared; this time at an auction. Scott was auctioning her belongings to raise funds for the cancer treatment she needed. The auction was held at Phillips Auction House in Mayfair, London, an internationally renowned auction house which specialised in fine art, furniture, and estate collections. Both Batten's 1937 medal and Scott's 1967 medal were auctioned, and these were purchased by Gibson. Gibson gifted the 1967 Harmon Trophy back to Scott and retained the 1937 Harmon Trophy awarded to Batten.
This Ligue Internationale des Aviateurs medal represents not only the world record achievements of Jean Batten, but the influence she had on future aviators, the allure of flight, and of a special friendship formed over a shared love of flight.
Marks
THE / SILVER / WINGS / OF PEACE / HARMON TROPHY Engraved
M'divani Signature
LIGUE INTERNATIONALE DES AVIATEURS / ELECTS / JEAN BATTEN / AS ITS / WORLD CHAMPION AVIATRIX / FOR THE YEAR / 1937 / UNITED FOR PEACE / MEDAILLE D'HONNEUR Casting
Phillips / 100 / Sale No. / 951 Sticker
MEDAL'N, GOLD. / LIG. INT'N'L D'AV'T'RS / TO JEAN BATTEN. / (SHEILA SCOTT PROPERTY) / R.A.F. MUSEUM / 79/CF/1804 Hand-written
M'divani Signature
LIGUE INTERNATIONALE DES AVIATEURS / ELECTS / JEAN BATTEN / AS ITS / WORLD CHAMPION AVIATRIX / FOR THE YEAR / 1937 / UNITED FOR PEACE / MEDAILLE D'HONNEUR Casting
Phillips / 100 / Sale No. / 951 Sticker
MEDAL'N, GOLD. / LIG. INT'N'L D'AV'T'RS / TO JEAN BATTEN. / (SHEILA SCOTT PROPERTY) / R.A.F. MUSEUM / 79/CF/1804 Hand-written
Media/Materials
Credit Line
Jean Batten et al. 15 Jul 1938
1937. Trophy [Harmon Trophy, 1937], 2018.47. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
1937. Trophy [Harmon Trophy, 1937], 2018.47. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
![Trophy [Harmon Trophy, 1936]; International League of Aviators; Roumanbona M'Divani; E Ausio; 1936](https://collection.motat.nz/records/images/medium/13758/eb79b36405fa464d9d8b96852804a87352103dbf.jpg)
![Trophy [Harmon Trophy, 1935]; Roumanbona M'Divani; E Ausio; 1935](https://collection.motat.nz/records/images/medium/32824/65a261442b34880d0589487ae693b771ecfed129.jpg)
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