Trophy [Blind Flying Trophy]
Maker and role
Asprey and Company Limited, Maker
Women's International Association of Aeronautics, Commissioned by
Production date
1936
See full details
Object detail
Accession number
2007.54
Production period
Description
Sterling silver flying trophy cup and cover. Blind Flying Challenge Cup, presented to Jean Batten in 1937-38. The cup is inscribed: 'Blind Flying Challenge Cup / Presented by Lady Hay Drummond Hay / President of the / Women's International Association / of Aeronautics / 1936 / Jean Batten 1937-8'.
Brief History
A silver flying trophy cup and cover made by Asprey & Co. Ltd, London in 1936, the spherical body engraved as a globe with two wing-shaped handles, the cover with an orb and eagle finial, on a tapering stem and a round base, 31.5cm (12.5in) high, 593g (19 oz); on an ebonised socle with an inscribed silver plaque 'Blind Flying Challenge Cup, Presented by Lady Hay Drummond-Hay, President of the Women's International Association of Aeronautics, 1936' and 'Jean Batten, 1937-8', 39cm (15.5in) high overall.
Jean Batten's accomplishments are put into context by the fact she flew without radio, and used her own navigational skills, a map, watch and simple compass to achieve her world famous records.
The presenter of the cup, Lady Grace Hay-Drummond-Hay (nee Grace Marquerite Letheridge 1895-1948), was not a pilot herself, but was amongst the most illustrious air travellers of the 1920s. As a journalist for the Hearst Press, she took a passage on the first Transatlantic air-crossing in 1928, on the Zeppelin Hindenburg. The following year, she became the first woman to circumnavigate the globe by air, whilst aboard the Graff Zeppelin in its attempt to travel around the world by air.
Jean Batten's accomplishments are put into context by the fact she flew without radio, and used her own navigational skills, a map, watch and simple compass to achieve her world famous records.
The presenter of the cup, Lady Grace Hay-Drummond-Hay (nee Grace Marquerite Letheridge 1895-1948), was not a pilot herself, but was amongst the most illustrious air travellers of the 1920s. As a journalist for the Hearst Press, she took a passage on the first Transatlantic air-crossing in 1928, on the Zeppelin Hindenburg. The following year, she became the first woman to circumnavigate the globe by air, whilst aboard the Graff Zeppelin in its attempt to travel around the world by air.
Marks
'Blind Flying Challenge Cup / Presented by Lady Hay Drummond Hay / President of the / Women's International Association / of Aeronautics / 1936 / Jean Batten 1937-8'. Inscribed
Kings Mark Imprint
Asprey London Maker's Mark
Kings Mark Imprint
Asprey London Maker's Mark
Media/Materials
Collection
Credit Line
Asprey and Company Limited et al. 1936. Trophy [Blind Flying Trophy], 2007.54. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
Public comments
Be the first to comment on this object record.