$23,700
Monumental and Historic George V Silver Presentation Trophy, "The Alexander Channel Cup," Birmingham, 1910, Elkington & Co. , makers, the cover with finial formed as winged Victory in classical garb holding a staff and standing atop a demilune platform with anthemion molded border and four S-scrolled legs, on a domed top with elongated leaftips and berrying twigs; the cup with a band of husks and leaves and extensively inscribed The Alexander Channel Cup Presented To Henry F. Sullivan. Who Swam the English Channel, Aug. 5th & 6th 1923. From Dover, England to Calais, France. Establishing World's Endurance Record. World's Breast Stroke Record. 26 Hours 50 Minutes , on stem sculpted with two classical maidens, one holding a trident, the other a caduceus, on a circular stepped foot, with maker's inscription along rim, ht. 37 3/4 in., approx. 373.4 troy oz. Note: A celebrated endurance swimmer in the early years of the 20th century, Henry F. Sullivan was the first American to swim across the English Channel, and the third overall. During the course of this historic swim, Sullivan broke the world swimming endurance record, along with the world breast stroke record. Discussing a film chronicling Sullivan's Channel crossing, the London Daily Sketch on October 3, 1923, stated, "The film of Henry F. Sullivan's swim is the most interesting film we have ever seen, showing all details of this plucky American in "THE GREATEST FEAT OF ENDURANCE OF ALL TIME," swimming from England Read more…
Auctioneer:
Skinner
Date:
2011-10-14
