1947 Kentucky Derby Gold Winner's Trophy and Commemorative Mint Julep Cup

Description:

1947 Kentucky Derby Gold Winner's Trophy and Commemorative Mint Julep Cup,won by the American Thoroughbred racehorse Jet Pilot, owned by Elizabeth Arden,the trophy was designed by George Lewis Graff for Lemon & Son Jewelers of Louisville, Kentucky and is handcrafted from 14-karat gold, the cover topped with an 18-karat cast gold horse and rider; the cup portion is applied with an 18-karat gold horseshoe and oval foliate handles, within the horseshoe is engraved "SEVENTY-THIRD/KENTUCKY DERBY/$100,000.00 ADDED/1 1/4 MILES/CHURCHILL DOWNS/LOUISVILLE, MAY 3, 1947/WON BY JET PILOT.," ht. 16 1/2 in., wt. approx 63.6 oz.; accompanied by a 14-karat gold mint julep cup. The commemorative mint julep cups were manufactured by Brown-Waterhouse-Kaiser Jewelers (BWK) of Louisville, Kentucky, and could be purchased privately in conjunction with the yearly derby. Elizabeth Arden purchased one for herself in 1947 and in 1954, had it engraved and gave it to her niece, Patricia Young, for Christmas. It has an applied horseshoe on the side, and is engraved "MAY 3, 1947/JET PILOT/ELIZABETH N. GRAHAM OWNER," and "CHRISTMAS 1954," the base engraved "OFFICIAL KENTUCKY DERBY MINT JULEP CUP B.W.K. 14K SOLID GOLD.," ht. 4 1/4 in., wt. approx. 7.1 oz.

Provenance: Descended through the family of Elizabeth Arden. From Elizabeth Arden to Arden's niece Patricia Young in October, 1966, then to the consignor, the grandson of Elizabeth Arden's brother, in September of 1999.

Note: The Kentucky Derby gold winner's trophy is believed to be the only solid gold trophy awarded annually to the winner of a major American sporting event. It has been given annually since 1924, which was the "Golden Anniversary" of the Derby. The trophy offered here was presented to Elizabeth Arden, the notable cosmetics firm owner who was known in horse racing circles as Elizabeth Graham, on May 3rd, 1947, when her winning horse Jet Pilot, racing under her Maine Chance Farm colors, broke from post position thirteen and took the lead, maintaining it to victory, beating the favorite Phalanx who placed second, and Faultless who took third. Jet Pilot's jockey was Eric Guerin, and his trainer was Tom Smith, best known as the trainer of the reknowned Seabiscuit. The win margin of the race wasa head in 2:05 4/5. The 1947 Kentucky derby race can be viewed on the internet at www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXJyR_CE9PU.








Estimate $60,000-80,000

Jet Pilot was sired by the English champion and 1930 Epsom Derby winner, Blenheim II, and out of the mare Black Wave by the champion French sire, Sir Gallahad III.

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