By Supplied, on 29-Nov-2010

The Junius Cup, an early Australian silver racing trophy, was sold yesterday by Raffan Kelaher and Thomas in Sydney  for $161,000 (including premium).

The cup (Lot 1 ) is inscribed “The Junius Cup, presented to Robt Fitzgerald, as the winner by his horse Creeper...” while the reverse bears the wording “NSW, Parramatta Racing Fund, October Meeting 1827”.Although the cup bears pseudo-British hallmarks, and a maker’s mark for James Robertson, it is suggested the cup may have been made by Alexander Dick, (c1791-1834), a free settler and silversmith from Scotland, arrived in Sydney from in  1824 and probably initially employed by James Robertson, Sydney's first non-convict silver retailer and also from Scotland,

Later  Dick soon established his own business at 104 Pitt Street as both a retailer and working silversmith.

It is believed the cup was sold to an institution.
 

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