An extremely fine commemorative of the closest match in America's Cup yacht racing history, T.O.M. Sopwith's challenge from the British Royal Yacht Squadron aboard the J-Boat Racing Yacht ENDEAVOUR was defended by the American RAINBOW, built by Nathaniel Herreshoff for the design of Starling Burgess, and captained by her manager-skipper of the syndicate of interest behind her in the New York Yacht Club, Mike Vanderbilt.
Although the race faced numerous contentious moments and high drame, when it was over with RAINBOW winning the defense of the Cup 4-2, the parties involved celebrated the close race. While the Charles Nicholson CLass J Sloop was agreed upon the outright faster of the two yachts, superior sailing and luck had won out for the American.
Presented with the gracious words, "Will you please accept this as a very small souvenoir of our races in America? I cannot tell you how grateful I am for the splendid way in which you came forward and helped out.", the letter is signed by Sopwith, and each crew meber is identified in the photo by eachof their one name - first, ladst or nickname - by which they were known to each other, along with Mr. and Mrs. Sopwith. The third photo is a modern recreation of a period photogrpah of the famous J-Class racer.
