Collection Of Henley & O.U.B.C Rowing Medals, Walter Bradford Woodgate

Collection Of Very Rare Rowing Trophies, Medals & Silver Oars.
This outstanding collection of Henley Regatta and Oxford University medals, medallions, cups has a very historic rowing interest, being awarded to Walter Bradford Woodgate over his illustrious rowing career. Walter was a notable oarsman and sculler, one of the most prolific Henley oarsmen of all time, he won the Wingfield Sculls three times and was twice in the winning Oxford crew in the University Boat Race. This collection includes an original blue presentation case holding nine round medals, three silver oars and one Wingfield Skulls medal with ribbon. There are ten silver trophy cups, eight on new turned wooden bases, one being the illustrious 'Pineapple Cup' presented for winning the Diamond Challenge Sculls in 1864. To complete this rare rowing collection is Woodgate's personal, well used copy of his published book 'Reminiscences of an old Sportsman' published by Eveleigh Nash 1909. There are also four copies of photographs in which Woodgate is present, one is of the Oxford University crew from the 1863 University boat race and the second from the 1862 University boat race where Woodgate can be seen with two of his crew members. The other two are copies from photographs of the Brasenose Boat Club preserved in a photo album of Robert 'Bobby' Shepherd. Both are from the 1862 Henley Royal Regatta taken near the Henley Bridge. Woodgate and Champneys, winners of the Silver Goblets, can be seen sitting on a bench both dressed in Childe of Hale blazers, at Woodgate's feet is his loyal dog, Jenny. The second photo shows the winning crew of the Stewards and Visitors Challenge Cup, Woodgate and Champneys have now been joined by Harris and Shepherd.
The presentation case has fix to the inside of the lid a Grand Procession of Boats 1863 printed silk and an embroidered silk square 'BRC 1869' with crossed oars to centre. The medals and oars in the case are: -
The 1862 Wingfield Skulls Medal comprising of a bar pin with raised text "Champion" and on the next bar the year has been engraved into it. There is a green ribbon and hanging from the bottom of the ribbon is an enamel wreath with two crossed silver oars. The round medals are two Oxford v Cambridge Putney Medals (1862 & 1863), Oxford University 'Challenge Prize Medal Four Oars' Presented by the O.U.B.C., Oxford University 'Eight Oar Trial Race' Presented by the O.U.B.C., Henley Regatta 'Grand Challenge Cup Prize Medal', Henley Regatta 'Visitors Challenge Cup Prize Medal', St Peters College 'Pair Oar Races' engraved C.A.P. Talbot 1, W.B. Woodgate 2, G W Hargreave Cox 1858, Henley Regatta 'Prize Medal Wyfold Challenge Cup', Henley Regatta 'Stewards Challenge Cup Prize Medal'. There are a further three Victorian silver presentation oars hallmarked London, each approximately 22cm long. 1858 - Henley, June 26, 1858, W.B. Woodgate No.2, 1865 - 6 W.B. Woodgate 11st 12lbs and 1867 - 7 W.B. Woodgate.

The cups include the famous Diamond Challenge Sculls Pineapple Cup from the 1864 Henley Royal Regatta, Henley Royal Regatta Pineapple Cup - Pairs Rowing Trophy 1863, Henley Royal Regatta Pair Oars Prize 1861, the rear of the cup engraved ''W. Champneys. Bow, W. B. Woodgate. Stroke. Brasenose', Henley Royal Regatta Pair Oars Prize 1862, Henley Royal Regatta Pair Oars Prize 1868, a Victorian silver plated spoon warmer in the form of a nautilus shell with engraved inscription ' I.R.C Scratch Eights Sept 1879'. There is an Oxford University Boat Club silver claret jug engraved 'W.B. Woodgate Esq. O.U.B.C In appreciation of his successful Exertions with the Royal Artillery Crew 24 June 1869'. The three final cups have not been engraved but are in the same vein as the other 'Pairs Rowing Cups' which had been awarded to Woodgate at the Henley Royal Regattas.

Brasenose College Boat Club (BNCBC) is the rowing club of Brasenose College, Oxford. It is one of the oldest boat clubs in the world, having beaten Jesus College Boat Club in the first modern rowing race, held at Oxford in 1815. Although rowing at schools such as Eton and Westminster School Boat Club predates this, the 1815 contest is the first recorded race between rowing clubs anywhere in the world.

In addition to the 1815 "headship", the club has won both the Summer Eights and Torpids headship many times, and has recorded numerous victories in most events at the Henley Royal Regatta.

The club's colours are black and gold, with black blades. The 1st VIII, however, may wear the distinctive "Childe of Hale" colours - red, purple and gold - which are traditional in Brasenose rowing.