DUPREE INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGE TROPHY, 1932

comprising a covered cup, the cover with winged Victory finial, the handles in the form of two racing hydroplanes, inscribed as per title and Presented by The Vice President Sir William T Dupree Bt., Vd., Td., Dl., Jp. to The Portsmouth & South Sea Motorboat Club 1932, on stem base with dolphin supports, circular foot to ebonised base with prize cuff with Sheffield hallmarks 1931-2 -- overall height 27in. (69cm.); 128.60 oz t

Royal Naval Club & Royal Albert Yacht Club, Portsmouth

Named after Colonel Sir William Dupree (1856-1933), a local brewing magnate and early exponent of powerboat racing who donated it to the Royal Albert Yacht Club in 1932. It was awarded to the Portsmouth and Southsea Powerboat race winners and was used until just before the outbreak of the Second World War. Fearing invasion, the Club Secretary hid this trophy, along with other valuables, but died before hostilities had ended. It wasn't until the 1980s when builders were renovating the Queen's Hotel in Southsea that it was discovered in a chimney breast. It is now thought to be the world's second oldest power boat trophy with only the Harmsworth Trophy of 1903 pre-dating it. It has been thought that the original date of manufacture was 1913, however, no hallmarks support this, although the hydroplane handles are of that era. More recently the trophy was re-dedicated as the Round the World Powerboat Record Cup.