The Baldersquash Medal
Legend has it that, one day in early 1894, Dr. Heinrich Hoffman heard a knock at his door in Frankfurt, Germany. On his porch he found a single chicken, holding in its beak what appeared to be a golden coin. Fifty years earlier, Dr. Hoffman had published his classic book of poetry Struwwelpeter (or Shock-headed Peter in English).
Two days later, an anonymous letter arrived at the offices of the Boston Globe, addressed to the editor-in-chief. It announced that Dr. Heinrich Hoffman was the winner of the inaugural Baldersquash Medal honoring “the very best in high-falutin nonsense.” German chemists quickly confirmed that the medal received by Dr. Hoffman from the chicken was indeed solid gold. A media frenzy ensued, but the origins of the Medal remained shrouded in mystery. Chickens continued to appear on the porches of unsuspecting writers annually throughout the early part of the 20th century.
Rumors in the 1920s indicated the possible involvement of one Adolphus Derby, who lived the life of a hermit in a small cottage on the banks of Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg in Webster, Massachusetts. Mr. Derby had claimed, at times, to be a descendant of Edward Lear and had reportedly once yelled “Baldersquash!” in the middle of a bar fight. He was also a keeper of chickens. But he denied any responsibility.
In 1938, Mr. Derby perished in an unfortunate accident involving a butter churn. But the chickens have continued to bring golden coins to lucky writers to this day.