INSPIRED BY AUGUST ERKER

OLYMPIC GOLD, 1904

The Gold Medal Collection draws its strength from a defining moment in family and city history: the 1904 Olympic Games in St. Louis — the home of Erker’s since 1879.

The 1904 Games were held alongside the World’s Fair — a global event marking the centennial of the Louisiana Purchase.

Within this extraordinary moment in St. Louis history, August Erker — brother of our founder A.P. Erker — rowed to Olympic gold.

August C. Erker (far left) and teammates of The Century Boat Club, also known as the ''Silk Stocking Oarsmen''.

ST. LOUIS

A CITY ON THE WATER

With the Mississippi River as its stage, St. Louis fostered a thriving rowing culture in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Five blocks from the river, A.P. Erker was building an optical business defined by craftsmanship and innovation. After the Games, August joined his brother in the optical business — bringing discipline and passion from the water to the workshop.

 
 
  1. August C. Erker (far left) and teammates of The Century Boat Club, also known as the ''Silk Stocking Oarsmen''. Ironically, August was blind in one eye.
    August C. Erker (far left) and teammates of The Century Boat Club, also known as the ''Silk Stocking Oarsmen''. Ironically, August was blind in one eye.
  2. In 1904, St. Louis hosted the third modern Olympic Games alongside the Louisiana Purchase Exposition and World’s Fair.
    In 1904, St. Louis hosted the third modern Olympic Games alongside the Louisiana Purchase Exposition and World’s Fair.
  3. A group of competitors in various swimming, diving, and rowing events at the 1904 Olympics.
    A group of competitors in various swimming, diving, and rowing events at the 1904 Olympics.
  4. The1904 Games were the first Olympicsheld outside Europe, the second to featurerowing, and the first where gold, silver, and bronze medals were awarded.
    The1904 Games were the first Olympicsheld outside Europe, the second to featurerowing, and the first where gold, silver, and bronze medals were awarded.
  5. Century Boat Club 4-Oared Crew (August “Gus” Erker’s home club) at a race circa 1921.The Club was nicknamed the ''Silk Stocking Oarsmen'' because most of its memberswere well-heeled citizens.
    Century Boat Club 4-Oared Crew (August “Gus” Erker’s home club) at a race circa 1921.The Club was nicknamed the ''Silk Stocking Oarsmen'' because most of its memberswere well-heeled citizens.
  6. Century Boat Club 8-Oar Crew during a race circa 1918
    Century Boat Club 8-Oar Crew during a race circa 1918
  7. Century originally leased a parcel of land from Anheuser-Busch at the foot ofCherokee Street (Shown Here) for their boathouse. They laterrelocated to SouthBroadway.
    Century originally leased a parcel of land from Anheuser-Busch at the foot ofCherokee Street (Shown Here) for their boathouse. They laterrelocated to SouthBroadway.
  8. Century’s new boathouseon the river bank (Shown Here) was reached by a walkdown more than 100 concrete steps, built into the river bluff. The boathouse wassituated above the river on stilts. The clubhouse atop the bluff, at 5500 SouthBroadway, had a bar, gymnasium, ballroom, and a dining room
    Century’s new boathouseon the river bank (Shown Here) was reached by a walkdown more than 100 concrete steps, built into the river bluff. The boathouse wassituated above the river on stilts. The clubhouse atop the bluff, at 5500 SouthBroadway, had a bar, gymnasium, ballroom, and a dining room
  9. Teammates in front of the Century Club Boathouse. The club slogan was
    Teammates in front of the Century Club Boathouse. The club slogan was "WhereSomething is Always Going On".
  10. Century Boat Club’s pier on the Mississippi river, where rowing practice was held rightalongside the ferries and steamboats.At the peak of its popularity in St. Louis(between 1880 and 1941), there were nine rowing clubs located along the banks ofthe Mississippi River.
    Century Boat Club’s pier on the Mississippi river, where rowing practice was held rightalongside the ferries and steamboats.At the peak of its popularity in St. Louis(between 1880 and 1941), there were nine rowing clubs located along the banks ofthe Mississippi River.
  11. The Erker Bros Optical Co sign at their storefronton Olive Street. After hisOlympic triumph, August (“Gus”) joined the family optical business. His brother, founderA.P., served as the official photographer of the 1904 World’s Fair.
    The Erker Bros Optical Co sign at their storefronton Olive Street. After hisOlympic triumph, August (“Gus”) joined the family optical business. His brother, founderA.P., served as the official photographer of the 1904 World’s Fair.

CRAFTING A GOLD STANDARD

The Gold Medal Collection is a tribute to this legacy: a fusion of Olympic excellence, the precision of
rowing, and St. Louis heritage. Just as August set a new standard in sport, this collection establishes a
new gold standard in eyewear design.

TWO BROTHERS,FIVE GENERATIONS APART

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The 1904 Games put our hometown on the world stage. The same city that
cheered August’s Olympic victory remains our home - five generations later.

What began with A.P. and August lives on with Jack III and Tony—
tradition built on discipline, design, and St. Louis grit.

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