George Hillyard/Harold Mahony tennis prize and studio photograph, consisting of a textured glass claret jug and a pair of glass beakers, each with sil
£2,000 - £3,000
George Hillyard/Harold Mahony tennis prize and studio photograph, consisting of a textured glass claret jug and a pair of glass beakers, each with silver mounts (Heath & Middleton, Birmingham) thought to have been designed by Dr. Christopher Dresser, the claret jug (by Heath & Middleton 1888) has a flat hinged cover and a boar tusk handle,inscribed ''All Comers Doubles 1st. Prize G.W Hillyard and H.S. Mahony''; sold together with a large and impressive studio monochrome photograph of Harold Segerson Mahony (Wimbledon winner in 1896), the image, measuring 28 by 21cm. is matted, glazed, framed and ready for hanging, overall 46 by 38cm. Under George Whiteside Hillyard's supervision as secretary of the All England Club from 1907 to 1925, the club moved to its current site at Church Road. He was runner-up twice in the Wimbledon Doubles Championship. On the other hand, his partner, Harold Segerson Mahony, an Irishman born in Scotland, secured the Wimbledon Singles Championship in 1896. This doubles prize was secured at the Northern Championships held at Manchester in 1889, when Hillyard and Mahony beat the Renshaw brothers by 3 sets to 1. Jug Height 24.0cms. Beaker Height 11.5cms. The photograph It is said to have been taken at his home in Dromore Castle, County Kerry, Ireland. (See Wimbledon Centre Court, Max Robertson, p.24 and Racket Sports Collectibles, Robert T. Everitt, p.258), originally sold at Christie's in 2001.