February 5, 2023

The World of Churchill Collectables: Presentation Cup

By BRIAN KRAPF

It is always a treat to find historical objects detailing the career of Lord Randolph Churchill, Sir Winston’s father and inspiration for his own career of public service. With few exceptions, material for Lord Randolph does not come to market very often and is difficult to obtain.

The general election of February 1874 proved to be a Conservative sweep, and Lord Randolph was elected to Parliament as the Conservative member for Woodstock, in Oxfordshire and near the family seat of Blenheim Palace. In April 1883, Lord Randolph presented the silver trophy cup shown here to a Woodstock constituent for winning the prize sheep competition! The cup measures 7 ½ inches tall and is made of quality silver plate. The engraved inscription reads:

Presented by Lord R. Churchill, M.P. for the best ten Oxford Down Tegs, exhibited at Woodstock by T. F. Burton, April 3, 1883.

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A teg is a two-year-old sheep. The Oxford Down breed has been raised in Oxfordshire since the 1830s. It produces the heaviest fleece of any of the Down breeds, thus making it commercially valuable and a staple of the textile industry.

It stands to reason that in Lord Randolph’s constituency raising the Oxford Down was competitive and part of the community’s economic base. This silver trophy is a rare example of Lord Randoph’s service to his constituency as M.P. and his interaction with the people who elected him to office.

Ewe never know what knowledge will come from chasing Churchill.

Brian Krapf’s forthcoming book We Want Winston!—A Treasury of Memorabilia will be published later this year.