Illuminated address to Mark Foy from the Sydney Flying Squadron Yacht Club

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Illuminated address to Mark Foy from the Sydney Flying Squadron Yacht Club

Publisher Sydney Flying Squadron (Australian, founded 1891)

Printer John Sands Pty Ltd

Date1892

Object number00005752

NameAddress

MediumWatercolour paint, ink, cardboard, leather, cloth

Dimensions330 x 259 mm, 1.35 kg

ClassificationsBooks and journals

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionThis illuminated address features a burgundy coloured cloth cover with an impressed ornate gold design. It was presented to Mark Foy Esquire by members of the Sydney Flying Squadron Yacht Club on 16 February 1892. It has five inserts containing watercolours of sailing boats on Sydney harbour, entitled REGINA, MANTURA, VOLUNTEER and LOTTIE. This testimonial wishes Foy good fortune on his departure for Europe and shows 24-footers on the harbour. Foy travelled widely but remained a staunch supporter of the Sydney Flying Squadron. HistoryThe Sydney Flying Squadron (SFS) Yacht club was established in 1891 and is now the oldest open boat club in Australia. The SFS was one of 4 or 5 clubs formed in the late 19th century to field open boats. Mark Foy was the founding Commodore of the Sydney Flying Squadron in 1891. The club advocated for sailing to be open to all types of vessels and sailors. Foy made a major contribution to the growth and development of the 18-foot skiff class. Under his guidance the large open boats developed into an 18-footer sailing clan. Foy had an impact on the introduction of coloured sails and increasing interest in sailing on Sydney Harbour. His aims were to make boats more identifiable in an effort to make the ships more clearly recognisable to spectators and increase interest in the sport. SignificanceThis address represents the activities of the Sydney Flying Squadron Yacht Club and the esteem felt by the club to Mark Foy, a prominent member of the organisation who made a major contribution to the sport of sailing.