United Bowmen of Philadelphia

PLENA FIDELIBUS

http://www.surreybowmen.co.uk

Surrey Bowmen archery club History—Annual mail match held annually since 1939

 

Related Links

http://www.philadelphiahistory.org/~akm/akm/collection/object

United Bowman's Bowl, c. 1830, silver, made by Thomas Fletcher, Philadelphia (1787-1866), The Historical Society of Pennsylvania Collection at the Atwater Kent Museum, deposited by the United Bowmen of Philadelphia. The United Bowmen of Philadelphia, founded in 1828 by Titian Ramsey Peale, son of renowned artist Charles Willson Peale, was the first archery club in the United States and was similar to men's clubs for tennis and cricket. Members included famed architect John Haviland, portrait artist Thomas Sully, and Baldwin Locomotive Works founder Matthew W. Baldwin. Before the beginning of the second season Franklin Peale, brother of Titian and a founder, described the equipment the club owned: "an outfit of the best quality, which consisted of a lemonwood bow, and spare strings, a dozen arrows contained in a quiver, a belt, pouch, grease-box, and tassel, a splendid pair of targets, and, finally, Waring's Treatise on Archery."

A few years after the club was founded, it acquired this superb silver punch bowl of Georgian design by Thomas Fletcher of Philadelphia. The bowl represented first prize, and the bowman who won it for the year was obliged to ornament it with a silver decoration, 23 of which are appended to its rim. It is believed to be the oldest sporting challenge bowl in the United States.

 

 

ROYAL TOXOPHILITE MEDALLION

Awarded for the greatest improvement during the year as represented by the current year’s highest score over the previous year’s highest score.

Presented to the United Bowman by the Gilde De St Sebastienne September 26, 1987