Irish Sports Equipment and Memorabilia

A racing flag from the Royal Sailing Yacht Britannia, circa 1936. This large racing flag was made from pieced wool bunting with machine stitched bunting and a canvas sleeve stamped ‘5’. It is of rectangular form with the Prince of Wales feathers enclosed in a ducal coronet and the motto ‘Ich Dien’ on a halved blue and red ground, later framed and glazed. It is accompanied by a black edged letter on Buckingham Palace writing paper dated 10th July 1936 saying ‘Dear Sir, I am commanded by the King and Queen Mary to send you these flags which were flown on board “Britannia” at various times during her career, including one of her racing flags. Their Majesties hope you will like to keep these in your club house as souvenirs of the old yacht. Yours Derek Keppell, Master of the Household, The Commodore, Royal Portsmouth Corinthian Yacht Club.” King George died on 20 January 1936 which explains the black edge to the letter. English, circa 1936. Height: 43in (109cm) Width:60in (152.5cm) Framed height: 57½ in (146 cm) Width: 81½ in (207cm) Provenance: Royal Naval Club & Royal Albert Yacht Club, Portsmouth R.S.Y. Britannia played an important part in preparing challengers for the America’s Cup. She was used as a trial horse for the Shamrocks and later, after conversion, for most of the ‘J’ Class yachts of the 1930s. Britannia was built in 1893 according to the plans of G. L. Watson for His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, a keen and able helmsman. From the beginning, Britannia was a successful racing yacht winning races against Kaiser Wilhelm’s Meteors, among many others. Britannia won over two hundred races in her career — a record that has yet to be surpassed. She was beaten once by Navahoe, one of Herreshoff’s boats, but fared better against another America’s Cup yacht, Vigilant, winning twelve races out of seventeen. When Britannia was converted to race in the ‘J’ Class she was stripped of her bulwarks, given a one-piece mast and a Bermudan mainsail. The transition did not interrupt her run of success, although she performed best in hard weather. She was scuttled off the Isle of Wight at the dying request of George V. A grisaille by Charles Dixon of R S Y Britannia racnig at Cowes. Credit: Wick Antiques

Sterling on black parade saddle. 15” padded seat. Heavily tooled. Over 100 sterling silver conchos. Large sterling plates covering tapaderos. The saddle ...

This is a high-quality, original World War II U.S. Army Air Corps Aviation Cadet Brooch insignia, manufactured by the renowned American badge maker Meyer of New York. Crafted in two ...

This exquisite European brass tabletop shtender, dating to circa 1900, is a masterful blend of craftsmanship and functionality, designed to enhance both study and spiritual reflectio...

A rare and important late 19th century Victorian era metal mounted horse hoof match holder by Rowland Ward. Museum quality example, this most unusual curiosity having a gilt brass hinged lid opening to striker and open receptacle. Signed "Roland Ward...

English Country style brown and black leather riding saddle with a sheepskin blanket.

Children's Savings Coin Bank "U.S. Mail" bank , also known as a "still bank"; was American made, circa 1920. This is well made, sturdy, and all original. It is made of cast iron and hand painted in original green paint with gold highlighting. There is no repaint and no restoration. The coins were deposited through the "letter depository"; lift the lever and drop in a coin (see image). When the bank is full, coins are removed by undoing the original square nut in back and the screw in front. Cast into two parts and now separated, the coins are easily collected. Put back together again to insure parts don't go missing (which happened often) and original screw and nut are maintained. This bank was manufactured circa 1920 by the A.C. Williams Company, Chagrin Falls, Ohio. They made many cast iron toys, banks and other products during their time of operation until World War II. The "U.S. Mail" bank is referenced on page 102 #853 in "The Penny Bank Book" by Andy and Susan Moore...

English Riding Saddle - All Leather by the Ansur Saddle Company. The style is the The Elite... The piece was acquired from an Estate in Los Angeles -...

Vintage Cast Iron Saddle Rack With Leather 'Camelot' Saddle. A decorative display of a Musgrave & Co. type cast iron saddle rack with oak covers and a Batchelors of Epping 'Camelot' ...

PRESENTING a rare Saudi Arabian Camel Saddle with it’s camel whip. A real conversation piece from the mid-20th Century, circa 1960-1980. Made of oli...

Real cowboy basic well made and used leather saddle. Stamped Simco. In excellent vintage condition with normal wear and tear, no damage and the le...

Pocket compass in use by 1915 U.S. Air Force officers made of brass in the shape of an onion clock, signed Ceebynite Short & Mason Taylor Rochester N.Y. The compass is equipped with ...