A silver hip flask awarded to H ‘Rem’ Fowler on winning the 1907 International Tourist Trophy Race, Twin-cylinder Class

Important Pioneer, Vintage, Classic & Collectors' Motorcycles and related Spares and Memorabilia
A silver hip flask awarded to H ‘Rem’ Fowler on winning the 1907 International Tourist Trophy Race, Twin-cylinder Class
The one fact that every motorcycle enthusiast knows about the Isle of Man TT races is that the very first, held in 1907, was won by Norton (in fact, Norton won the Twin-cylinder Class and Matchless the Single-cylinder Class). Fewer will know that the winning Norton was powered by a Peugeot engine, and that its rider was Rem Fowler.

Born in Birmingham, home to the Norton factory, in 1882, Harry Rembrandt ‘Rem’ Fowler was a skilled toolmaker by trade who had already competed in motorcycle trials before deciding to enter the inaugural Tourist Trophy. Lacking a suitable machine, he purchased a 5hp Norton, directly from the Bracebridge Street factory, which he entered privately. Company founder James Lansdowne Norton agreed to accompany Fowler to act as his mechanic and pit attendant. It would turn out to be an eventful race, with Fowler having to make numerous stops over the ten laps to change spark plugs, repair a puncture, and adjust the tension of the final drive belt. After 4 hours and 20 minutes of riding on dirt roads, Fowler came home the winner at an average speed of 36.22mph. He also made the fastest lap at 42.91mph. Matchless-mounted Charlie Collier won the Single-cylinder Class and took the overall win at an average speed of 38.22mph.

The Single-cylinder Class winner’s trophy was donated by the Marquis de Mouzilly de St Mars and was modelled after the God of Speed, Mercury. It is this trophy that is nowadays awarded to the winner of the Senior race, winners of the other classes receiving replicas. Renowned automotive engineer Dr H S Hele-Shaw (best known for his multi-plate clutch) donated the trophy for the Twin-cylinder Class, though Rem never received it.

In an affidavit on file dated 2nd July 1957, Rem states: ‘I should like to say, definitely, that I never possessed, or even saw the trophy put up by Dr Hele-Shaw for the twin-cylinder class, in the First TT 1907. I had the cash prize of £25 and that’s all.’ He was lucky to keep all of the £25, as James Lansdowne Norton claimed that he was due half for supplying the winning machine! Rem pointed out that he had paid full price for it and had funded all of his expenses, and that with another rider on board the Norton might not have won (see letter on file to Harold Karslake). Rem was a member of the Birmingham Motor Cycle Club, which decided that his achievement deserved some tangible commemoration. They purchased the hip flask offered here, which is inscribed:

PRESENTED TO
H REM. FOWLER
BY
H. G. PARKES, ESQ
FOR THE BEST PERFORMANCE MADE BY
ANY MEMBER OF THE BIRM M.C.C.
DURING THE YEAR 1907.
WINNER OF THE A.C.C.
INTERNATIONAL TOURIST TROPHY RACE,
Twin Cylinder Class
28TH MAY, 1907, ISLE OF MAN'.

Hallmarked ‘John Yates & Son, Birmingham, Sterling Silver, 1906’, the hip flask also comes with its leather case inscribed ‘H. Rem. Fowler. 32 Livingstone Rd, Kings Heath, Birmingham’. Also included in the sale is a fascinating history folder containing period photographs, press cuttings, magazine articles, and correspondence between Rem Fowler, Harold Karslake, John Griffith, and James Lansdowne Norton (inspection recommended). As items of Isle of Man TT memorabilia go, they do not come any more significant than this.
(2)