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Presented is a rare painting of what we
believe to be the 1897 America’s Cup Scottish Challenger THISTLE even though the artist shows the vessel with an American
flag. The oil on canvas painting is by 20 th Century artist J. Glauger, and signed in the lower left, but undated. The painting
comes in a very heavy carved wood gilded frame and weighs an impressive 17 pounds. The frame alone would cost $650.00 to replace.The cutter rigged gaff headed is un-named and flies the American ensign.
She is viewed in brilliant dark blue waters, with a light chop. The large crew, typical of racing yachts, stands at the
ready. The sky is light to pale blue with extensive cloud cover. The condition of the painting is excellentDimensions: 19.5″ x 23.5″, overall: 30.5″ x 34.5″.
Condition: Excellent
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PLEASE SCROLL DOWN TO THE BOTTOM TO SEE THE GALLERY PICTURESBRIEF HISTORY OF THISTLE VS VOLUNTEER:
The only challenge to come from Scotland for the America’s Cup in THISTLE in 1887 was instrumental in the New York
Yacht Club again changing the Deed of Gift after finding itself under time pressure to construct a defender capable of meeting
a challenger. THISTLE was designed by the legendary Scottish designer, G L Watson but was defeated decisively by the
Defender, Volunteer.Halsey Herreshoff writes “Despite secrecy on both sides of the Atlantic
the challenger and defender of 1887 were remarkably similar. Both George L. Watson’s THISTLE and Edward (Ned) Burgess’s VOLUNTEER
were clipper-bowed sloops having large low sail plans. Even their hull lines were strikingly similar, though VOLUNTEER had
a larger beam/draft ratio in keeping with the aforementioned national practices. A substantial difference was that VOLUNTEER
was fitted with a centerboard that greatly enhanced her pointing ability to windward.Volunteer’s lines are particularly natural and pleasing. This
triumph of Edward Burgess decisively beat her predecessor yachts PURITAN and MAYFLOWER and was named the Cup Defender after
an abbreviated set of trials. She then decisively won the 1887 Cup Races.”