A Dublin University Rowing Club trophy dated 1881, in the form of an earlier silver plated tantalus by John Harrison of Sheffield (working 1843-1866),
£800 - £1,200
A Dublin University Rowing Club trophy dated 1881, in the form of an earlier silver plated tantalus by John Harrison of Sheffield (working 1843-1866), with key for patent lock, inscribed LIMERICK REGATTA, 1881, SENIOR EIGHTS, WON BY, DUBLIN UNIVERSITY ROWING CLUB, and with the names of the crew and cox including three club captains G.A.E. Hickson (1876), R.H. Labat (1879-1881) and R. Hassard (1882), overall height 29cm., 11 1/2in., width 30.5cm., 12in. The Pembroke Club, founded in 1836, amalgamated with The University Rowing Club in 1847 to become the Dublin University Rowing Club. It was the most successful Irish rowing club for the next 43 years and the first to field a crew at the Henley Royal Regatta. In 1881 a split in the club resulted in the formation of the Dublin University Boat Club. For the next 17 years the majority of the important Irish rowing trophies were shared by the two clubs, and both achieved success at Henley. In 1898 old differences were put aside, and the clubs amalgamated under the name of the Dublin University Boat Club.