1899 ST SILVER MIRROR LARCHMONT YC TROPHY YACHT "LIR (03/22/2011)...

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1899 ST SILVER MIRROR LARCHMONT YC TROPHY YACHT "LIRIS

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1899 ST SILVER MIRROR LARCHMONT YC TROPHY YACHT "LIRIS

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Sold Date: 03/22/2011
Channel: Online Auction
Source: eBay
Category: Transportation and Vehicles

I recently bought this piece from a prominent Long Island Sound region estate. It is a fine and rare yachting trophy from the Larchmont Yacht Club in the form of a sterling silver hand-mirror. The trophy was awarded to the sloop "Liris" for the "Sailover Prize" in the Class K Cruising Trim race at the 1899 Larchmont Race Week events. "Liris" and her impressive provenance is described on in connection with their auction of a Thomas Willis rendering of the sloop, a photo of which is shown above.
Condition is excellent except for dent in handle as shown. Old unpolished patina left untouched.
The trophy is marked" Sterling - Whiting & Co., New York City.
Measures: 8" long, 5.5" diameter.
I guarantee my sales unconditionally for 7 days from receipt.

“B lack-hulled and a fullcomplement of cruising canvas aloft, LIRIS shows her artisan lines in this toplevel work by Willis. A significantly historic yacht, she has connections to several prominent names from this grand era of yacht racing. Most importantly, she is the first yacht by American designer William Gardner. Freshly returned from his privileged education at the Royal Naval College in Greenwich , England , Gardner went head-on into competition with the established masters Edward Burgess and A. Cary Smith. The results: LIRIS won 3 1st, 4 2nd, 3 3rd and 1 4th in her 11 starts her inaugural year against 12 competitors in the 40' waterline class.

Built in the Bay Ridge, Long Island yard of Samuel Ayers & Son in 1889 from Gardner ’s design, she was commissioned by misters Colgate Hoyt and Charles W. Wetmore of the Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club, and partner Samuel Mather of Cleveland . Their goal was to have a first class racing yacht which had every livable amenity aboard. Her main saloon would sit eight at the specially designed table, which would break down to be run ashore along with the other non-essentials when she raced.

The yacht proudly flies the American yachting ensign and private signal of Clifford B. Hendricks of the Larchmont Yacht Club of New York. Upon the water of Long Island Sound, it is believed to be Mamaroneck Lighthouse at the visible headland. LIRIS makes good purpose of her more than 3600 sq. ft. of sail. Quite impressive, since LIRIS was the first American yacht to employ hollow spars. Hendricks purchased the yacht in the 1890s, and sold her to Robert & George Barrie in 1900, who re-rigged her as a ketch. Gardner actually was inspired from observing “Itchen boats” in Southampton , and improved upon their design for the larger racing yacht class. As mentioned this was his first yacht; he would design more than 100 over 50 years.”