The Jean Beliveau Auction- February 2005
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/22/2005
Absolutely fascinating story accompanies this equally exquisite trophy. The towering award stands 29" high and is the Schultz Challenge Cup, a trophy commissioned in 1889 by Sir John Christian Schultz, Lieutenant-Governor of Manitoba, to be awarded at a Winnipeg rowing competition. Schultz wanted something extra-special produced since Canada's Governor-General, Lord Stanley of Preston, would be attending the regatta in September of that year as part of an official state visit, his first through western Canada. Celebrations took place at the conclusion of the competition and Schultz requested that Stanley be the honored presenter of this magnificent silver cup to the winning four oarsmen. Our consignors, the Bennett family of Winnipeg, have extensively researched this trophy and have uncovered several similarities between it and hockey's Stanley Cup that suggest Lord Stanley may have indeed been inspired, influenced and at least reminded by the Schultz Challenge Cup when reaching the decision to donate his famous challenge cup which has become the oldest and most coveted trophy in all of professional sports. Lieutenant Governor Schultz had his name and official title of office engraved on "his" trophy as did Lord Stanley (Stanley of Preston) on the Stanley Cup. Both awards were produced for annual competition; the Schultz Cup for rowing in the province of Manitoba and the Stanley Cup for the Dominion of Canada. Both Challenge Cups had all the names of the winning teams engraved directly on the trophies. Fascinating indeed. One would reach the conclusion that Lord Stanley did indeed observe some important challenge cup engraving and sports procedures from his participation at the 1889 rowing regatta, 2 1/2 years before donating hockey's holy grail. It was possibly Stanley's family members who suggested a trophy for hockey. Lord and Lady Stanley's eldest son Edward and teenage daughter Isobel were present in Winnipeg with their parents and both enjoyed the game of hockey in ensuing years. As for this trophy, it was awarded annually until 1948 when it mysteriously went missing, only to be discovered by the Bennett family years later. Hats off to those responsible for refurbishing and re-silvering this breath-taking piece. An oarsman stands atop the lid which is covered with the engraved names of rowing champions. Engraved on one side of the trophy is an image of the Winnipeg Rowing Clubhouse while engraving on the opposite side reads "Challenge Cup 1889 - Presented By His Honor Lieutenant Governor Schultz To The Winnipeg Rowing Club For Annual Competition In The Province of Manitoba". The craftsmanship and jaw-dropping exquisite detail of the trophy are difficult to describe in typed words. The thought-provoking trophy, originally presented by the man who gave hockey the Stanley Cup is in spectacular like-new condition. An exceptional, museum-worthy, one-of-a-kind masterpiece.
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