Cambridge Boat Race
1904

This hand painted skirt commemorates the 1904 Boat Race that Cambridge won by 4 1/2 lengths. It was held on the 26th March and was the 61st race.  The skirt itself is older - perhaps repurposed from a wedding gown, or some other white satin dress. I suspect it may have been part of a fancy dress costume. The central painting, showing the rowers viewed from Barnes Bridge, London, has been copied from one in the The Illiustrated Sporting & Dramatic News.

+ Stanley Bruce  who became the Prime minister of Australia:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanley_Bruce

+ Harold Gillies a surgeon who became known for reconstructing the faces of soldiers: 

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_Gillies

+Banner Carruthers Johnstone (1882 –1964) was a British oarsman who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics.

+ Ronald Powell (1884-1930)

During WW1 Powell was a lieutenant in the Scots Guards and was awarded the Military Cross in 1916. Powell emigrated to Australia and lived at Escrick, Undera Victoria.

R W Somers-Smith of the King's Royal Rifle Corp fought and died in WW1 in the King's Royal Rifle Corp.

astreetnearyou.org/person/483573/Second-Lieutenant---Somers-Smith

Clearly further research could be done.

The central painting, showing the rowers viewed from Barnes Bridge, London, has been copied from one in the The Illiustrated Sporting & Dramatic News,

Cataloguing

The skirt of cream satin with hand painted lettering listing the members of each rowing team and their positions, shields of the two universities, a painting of the race itself, and decorations of crossed oars, and a record of the winner, the writing in gold paint and the central panel in a watery impressionist style, original frilled petticoat

1. T G Brocklebank (Bow) 10 9 1/8

2. R W Somer-Smith.         10  3/18

3.  A R Hales                      12 3 7/8

4 H W Jelf                           12.  6

5  P C Underhill                    12.  9

6. A R Balfour                       12.0

7. E P Evans                         13. 0 1/2

    A K Graham (Stacke).      11. 0

ECT Warner (Cox)                  7.10

The other side

H Sanger (Bow). 10. 7

2 S M Bruce        12. 0

3. B C Johnstone. 12.   1

4  A L L Lawrence. 12.   13 1/2

5. R V Powell                12.   2 3/4

6. P H Thomas              12.   7

7. H D Gillies                 10.  5

     M V Smith (Stroke).  10.  5

BGA Scxott (Cox).           8.   4

 

Condition

Considering this is hand painting, it has lasted remarkably well. Some of the paint has worn, particularly on the shields, the writing is in tact as is the central scene of the rowers. I would imagine it was put away by the wearer, who probably went to a ball in it.

Comments

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Boat_Race_1904

The Illiustrated Sporting & Dramatic News.

Price: £450 | $570 | €540