An American silver yacht trophy, Black, Starr & Frost, New York, circa 1924

body applied and etched with mermaids and seaweed, the sides etched with presentation inscription, the sides and base engraved with later presentation inscriptions

a few minor dings to body, overall good condition
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The inscription reads "Replica of the ORIGINAL PURITAN CUP Won by MYSTIC C.D. & P.R. Mallory 1924"

The original presentation inscriptions read "Goelet Cup 1885 / New York Yacht Club Cruise / Newport. Aug. 2nd. / Won by the Puritan" and "Given by the owners of the PURITAN Oct. 29, 1885 to the EASTERN YACHT CLUB in trust. To be awarded each year to the Yacht belonging to the Club making the best corrected time over the course in the First Annual Regatta." The names of those yachts that have won the Regatta are engraved on the base starting in 1886 and continue on to the side ending in 1924.

Puritan was designed by Edward Burgess, son of a wealthy merchant and ship owner of Boston. An enthusiastic yachtsman, he began designing yachts in 1883. The Puritan was a departure from old-time sloops, combining beam, power, and a centerboard with the depth and outside lead of an English cutter. Puritan's winning the Goelet Cup by over ten minutes from Priscilla brought Burgess fame in New York, and he designed some 206 vessels in seven years before his death in 1891. Due to Puritan's impressive victory in the Goelet Cup race, she was chosen as defender for the America's Cup Match and won, thereby retaining possession of the America's Cup for the NY Yacht Club. She was the first America's Cup defender to be painted white. For more about Puritan and Burgess, see John Parkinson, Jr., The History of The New York Yacht Club, Vol. 1, p. 115-120.