1933 European Figure Skating Medal: London Calling.

Britain’s National Skating Association played host to the top European pairs skaters

The 1933 European Figure Skating participant medal highlighted in today’s blog commemorates an event steeped in history, held that year in London, England. The championship was a gathering of some of Europe’s top figure skating talents, with Austrian pairs skater Willy Petter and his partner, Lilly Gaillard—dubbed “Lilly and Willy”—securing second place for their performance. The sterling silver medal shown in the gallery below is a commemorative piece awarded to Petter for his second-place finish. Also see the 1931 European Figure Skating Championships blog entry for another medal awarded to Petter.

Medal Gallery: 1933 European Figure Skating Championships

Produced on a standard issue of the National Skating Association (NSA) of Great Britain, the medal is a testament to the artistry and elegance of the era. The obverse showcases a finely crafted, intricate depiction of a male figure skater gliding gracefully across a frozen lake, surrounded by a natural setting that evokes the tranquility and beauty of winter. He is dressed in elegant, period-style attire, complete with a tailored jacket, breeches, and a decorative hat, evoking the fashion of a bygone era. His curled-toe skates appear to be strap-ons and add a touch of artistry.

The reverse of the medal bears inscriptions that document its historical significance. The text reads “National Skating Association of Great Britain,” a nod to the host nation, followed by “Championship of Europe in Figure Skating for Pairs” and “Second Place London 1933.” At the bottom is an elegant laurel leaf and banner decoration, along with hallmarks that indicate the quality of silver and, in all likelihood, the maker. Despite its nearly century-long journey through time, the medal’s engravings remain crisp and legible.

Although the exact maker of the 1933 participant medal cannot be determined, the design itself speaks to the craftsmanship of the period, with its attention to detail and balance of artistry and simplicity. Such medals often raise intriguing questions for collectors and historians alike: Who were the artisans behind these commemorative pieces, and what stories do they tell about their creators? Unfortunately, as with many historical artifacts, some details remain elusive, leaving only room for speculation. But one thing is known: the 1933 European Figure Skating Championships participant medal serves as a reminder of the artistry and competitive spirit of the sport’s golden era.

That’s today’s figure skating pins blog: 1933 European Figure Skating Medal: London Calling.

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Figure Skating Flashback: 1933

• In the winter of 1933, a young Princess Elizabeth of Great Britain—destined to become Queen Elizabeth II—glided onto the ice for the first time at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel, taking her early steps as a skater long before she would reign over Britain for more than 70 years.
• That same year, the European Figure Skating Championships brought together all three major disciplines—men’s, women’s, and pairs—in a rare unified event in London. This was an unusual occurrence at the time, as championships were often split between multiple locations before World War II. (Ice dancing wouldn’t be added to the event for more than two decades.)
• Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, a future skating legend was born. Hayes Allen Jenkins, who would go on to become a U.S., World, and Olympic champion, entered the world in March 1933 in Akron, Ohio.
• On the competitive stage, Norway’s Sonja Henie dazzled once again, capturing the third of her six European titles, solidifying her dominance in the sport. Austria’s Karl Schäfer, an unstoppable force, claimed his fifth of what would ultimately be eight European crowns.
• But 1933 also saw heartbreak. Hilde Holovsky, a rising Austrian star from Vienna, placed fourth at the European Championships and had already earned world medals—a silver in 1931 and a bronze in 1933. Many believed she was poised to be Henie’s heir. Tragically, fate had other plans. In July of that year, Holovsky succumbed to appendicitis at just 16, cutting short a promising career that might have rewritten skating history.

From royal first steps to triumph and tragedy, 1933 was a year etched in figure skating’s rich and complex legacy.

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