America’s Cup & Garrards Silversmiths

America’s Cup Garrards Silversmiths

The America’s cup is an ornate sterling silver bottomless ewer crafted in 1848 by Garrard & Co and is the oldest international sporting trophy. This is not one of those everyone gets a trophy, trophies.

The America’s Cup - one of the best-known trophies in international sailing yacht competition. It was first offered the Hundred Guinea Cup on Aug. 20, 1851, by the Royal Yacht Squadron of Great Britain for a race around the Isle of Wight.

The cup was won by the America, a 100-foot (30-metre) schooner from New York City, and subsequently became known as the America’s Cup.The trophy was held by the NYYC from 1857 (when the syndicate that won the cup donated the trophy to the club) until 1983. The NYYC successfully defended the trophy twenty-four times in a row before being defeated by the Royal Perth Yacht Club, represented by the yacht Australia II. The NYYC's reign was the longest winning streak (in terms of date) in the history of all sports.

https://imgflip.com/i/1e2g5b

http://www.acsilver.co.uk/shop/pc/Well-Known-Collectable-Makers-d95.htm
The Trophy was made by a prominent Silversmith Garrards & Co.

The founder of the firm was George Wickes who opened business in Threadneedle Street London, and entered his mark in Goldsmiths' Hall in 1722.
In 1802 Robert Garrard (senior) took over the firm now on Panton Street, Haymarket, London the business had already been operating for sixty-seven years.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garrard_%26_Co

Starting in 1843, Queen Victoria herself bestowed the honour of Crown Jeweller to the Garrard Co, and served six successive monarchs, ending this service in 2007 when Queen Elizabeth II appointed G. Collins and Sons as the new Crown Jewellers (although Garrard still holds a royal warrant from the Prince of Wales). The current "crown and G" logo is based on Robert Garrard's 1822 hallmark. After many changes in 2002 Garrard returned to the Albemarle Street site it first occupied in 1911. Garrard was acquired by the US private equity firm Yucaipa Companies in 2006 and still operates.

Who knew history was so shaped by silversmithing?

Thanks for reading and Happy Stacking!