This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/8/2020
British Statesman, Lord Frederick Stanley (1841-1908) 16th Earl of Derby, Governor General of Canada (1888-1893) and famed namesake of The Stanley Cup (the oldest existing trophy to be awarded in professional sports) has signed this rare military commission given at the Court at Saint James, dated September 10, 1878. Stanley had signed the document in his capacity as Secretary of State for War (1878-1880). The partially printed document measuring 15.75 X 12, appoints a Charles Frederick Hastings Medhurst to be a Lieutenant in the Land Forces with the 59th (2nd Nottinghamshire) Regiment of Foot and is countersigned at the head by Queen Victoria (1819-1901) Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland 1837-1901. The historic presentation of the document is enhanced by two blind embossed attached seals. An avid sportsman, Stanley is most famous for presenting The Stanley Cup, Ice Hockey’s Championship Trophy was originally commissioned in 1892 as the Dominion Hockey Challenge Cup and was renamed the Stanley Cup in recognition of Lord Stanley who had originally donated the trophy as a challenge cup for Canada’s best amateur hockey club; a sport supported by the entire Stanley family. Professional teams first became eligible to challenge for the Stanley Cup in 1906 and in 1926 it was established as the de facto championship trophy of the National Hockey League. Since then the Stanley Cup has been recognized as the most prestigious award in all of professional sports earning the nicknames “The Cup,” “Lord Stanley’s Cup,” “Lord Stanley’s Mug,” and “The Holy Grail.” This is a rare opportunity to acquire an exceptional Official document signed by The Cup’s founding father. Framed 33 X 21. Very Good condition. Comes with a James Spence Authentication (JSA) Letter of Authenticity and a Gotta Have Rock & Roll™ Certificate of Authenticity.