The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1900-01-19
CUSTOM OF CUP GIVING.
Growing Popularity of This Charac.
ter of Testimonial In This
Country.

Growing Popularity of This Charac-
ter of Testimonial In This
Country.
During the last ten years the custom
has become widespread of bestowing
upon friends, heroes, patriots, and
of sports drinking vessels of
peculiar significance. The custom COM
ing to us from the past found only
rare following in the first half of the
century, but with the winning of the
Americas cup by the New York Yacht
club at Cowes in 1851 the foundation
was laid for cups as awards in the
sports of America. Since then they
have figured in races of all descriptions
yacht. foot. horse, and even wagon
contests, while games and athletic
tered the growing list of competitors
for this form of award. The only motor
powers so far not represented are steam
and electricity, though there awaits at
a well-known jewelry house fine chal-
lenge cup, designed and manufactured
at cost of $4,000, for the winners of
international steam-yacht races.
These trophies have grown in artistic
design and money value until they have
become objects of national interest.
Descended from the "Mazer" which in
the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries
became an important possession of COR
pOrate bodies, whose members, slipping
the wine from it's capacious bowl, thus
gave expression to the fraternal senti-
ments of trust and good will, they have
since been adopted as the synonym of
unity, and tittingly popular symbol
among the people of America. Loving
cups have their origin farther back in
Anglo-Saxon days, when to guard
against treachery the cup was passed
from one to the other at table, each
quaffing of its contents. And woe to
him who refused, for the eye of sus-
picion and scorn was thenceforth
fastened upon him.
Covers for loving cups were adopted
after the assassination of Edward the
Martyr, thus further insuring immun-
ity from attack by requiring the per-
son passing the cup to hold the cover,
the courtesy giving occupation to his
right or dagger hand. Later, at the
instigation of Henry V. of England,
whose royal gloves were deluged with
wine from a single-handed cup served
by an awkward attendant, numerous
handles, sometimes as many as eight,
were added, which afterward became
the distinguishing characteristic of the
loving cup. Those of only two handles
thenceforth were classed as parting
cups, which are little heard of and less
used.
The prototype of American sport
cups, won at Cowes, has long been out
stripped by its successors in points of
artistic workmanship. Some of the
famous trophy cups of America, the j.
Pierpont Morgan cup, the Goelet cup
and the Astor cup, are of far greater
value than the Americas cup, though
they do not possess international fame.
1t is in loving cups that the greatest
range of ideas take shape in metallic
are expression. They combine all the
grace of sentiment with apt design, and =,
considering the variety of exploits and
achievements represented in the de-
mand, the field has become almost I'M
limited. In consequence there has been
a wonderful improvement in cup manu-
facture and the highest art sense now
forms the basis of their production. AS
examples mention may be made of the
cup presented few years ago to Fran
els Korbay, the Hungarian musician,
upon his return to that country. In it's
conception the singing reeds" of Hun
gary were made the main feature of
design, springing from the base of the
cup and twining together into heart
shaped handles. Chased in relief on the
bowl was the figure of knight clasp
ing harp and at the base stood two
figures one representing music and
song, the other poesy.
Another cup of superior design was
that presented to Rev. DR.. r. s. Storrs
on attaining his fiftieth year in the
pastorate of the Church of the Pilgrims,
Brooklyn. 1t was cast in the old Eng
lish pulpit shape, supported at the base
and sides by water lilies, the classic
symbol of oratory. One of the most
elaborate cups is the Tammany cup,
presented to Richard Croker in 1896. 1t
bristled with Indian war ornaments,
tomahawks, feathers, spears and ar
rows.
The famous cups presented during
the past wear are TOO we'll known to
need description. That of President
Mckinley to Ambassador Cambon in
commemoration of his services in the
restoration of peace between the United
States and Spain, and the magnificent
gold loving cup to Admiral Dewey from
the city Of New York hold rank as the
handsomest cups ever produced in
this country.-N. y. Sun.
ONE-FINGERED GLOVES.
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