$940
Diorama: "There is No Second" Schooner Yacht America, Isle of Wight 1851. , by William E. Hitchcock (1928-2006), Dover, Massachusetts, 1994, signed and dated l.r., overall ht. 29, lg. 33, dp. 8 in., in a molded giltwood frame. Note: The yacht America was designed by American George Steers for The New York Yacht Club in 1851, in an effort to challenge the British, who had a reputation for yachting supremacy. The America raced in England against fifteen yachts in the annual 53-mile race around the Isle of Wight, conducted by the Royal Yacht squadron, and won by two minutes. She won the next race, against England's fastest, the Titania , by nearly an hour. When Queen Victoria was told of the triumph, she asked who was second; the famous reply was: "There is no second, your Majesty." A cup was presented to the New York Yacht Club, who offered it to any yacht capable of defeating them, a challenge which has became known as the "America's Cup."
Auctioneer:
Skinner
Date:
2007-06-03
