An extremely rare Brasenose “GOLD” Rackets Racquet

An extremely rare Brasenose GOLD Rackets Racquet, this very special racquet also made by Jeffries and Malings of Woolwich, with ash head and walnut throat and was strung with natural gut more recently, the handle is covered in sheepskin and then covered in red velvet, distressed, with yellow-metal band is at the top of the grip and similar yellow-metal butt cap and inscribed W.H. Davey Esq, Brasenose Crest, Brasenose Coll. 

This racquet was won by William Davey and it is very likely an allcomers trophy which progressed later to the Oxford University Prize Racquet. The date is not known but would have been, circa 1853-54.     

William Horton Davey: according to the Brasenose College, Oxford Register (1909) William Horton Davey was born in Redruth, Cornwall, first son of Stephen Davey of Redruth Cornwall. He is mentioned in Burke's Landed Gentry as well as Foster's Our Noble and Gentle Families. He was educated at Harrow Scholl and matriculated to Brasenose College on the 25th May 1853 aged 17. He was awarded his B.A. in 1871 and became a Justice of the Peace and died on 13th April 1871. 

The first Oxford v. Cambridge varsity match was in 1858 so the rackets predate this competition and could well be the first silver and gold presentation rackets won at Brasenose.