The Tooth Cup awarded to Wee 'Georgie ' Robinson
Date1936
Object number00001732
NameTrophy
MediumBrass, silver plating, enamel
DimensionsOverall: 295 x 280 x 180 mm, 0.9 kg
ClassificationsCommemorative artefacts
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Faye Magner
DescriptionThe Tooth Cup trophy awarded to 'Wee' George Robinson on his skiff BRITANNIA in 1936 for the Hastings River 18 foot skiff championship on the Hastings River, Port Macquarie.
Tooth and Co. was the major brewer of beer in New South Wales, and was historically one of Australia’s oldest companies, having been established as a partnership in 1835. A feature of Tooth and Co. was the painting of large pub paintings in the 1930s and 1940s, unique to New South Wales. These pub paintings and sponsorship of trophies, sought to advertise beer by associating it with sport, health and cultural sophistication.HistoryThe 18-footer skiffs are designed to reach extreme speeds and provide an exciting and attractive sport for spectators to watch. This was the aim of the vessels when they were first designed in the late 19th century. The origins of the sport are attributed to Mark Foy and a group of businessmen who were the founding members of the Sydney Flying Yacht Squadron, reported to have been established on 19 October 1891 in the 'Sydney Morning Herald'. The club advocated for sailing to be open to all types of vessels and sailors. Their first competitive race is believed to have been held on Sydney Harbour on 26 January 1892.
The 18-ft skiff BRITANNIA was designed and built in Balmain in 1919 by skipper George Robinson, known as 'Wee Georgie'. The boat and its skipper were very prominent in the 18 foot skiff class between the two world wars and won many races.SignificanceIn 1914, Robinson built his first boat, BRITANNIA. Five years later, he built the 18-foot skiff of the same name. To this day, the 18-foot BRITANNIA remains one of the Australian National Maritime Museum’s most treasured objects. This trophy is one of the many that were awarded to Robinson and his crew and represents the achievements of one of the most famous 18-foot racing skiffs in Australian skiff sailing history.
