£3,780
Auction: Five Centuries
all won by Robert Octavius Pitman, and made by Ayling & Sons, Vauxhall, London; the full length blades with paddles painted with the race and competitors that won, including the Grand Challenge Cup (Eights), Henley 1895, Grand Challenge Cup (Eights), Henley 1897 (New College, Oxford), Visitor Challenge Cup (Fours), Henley Royal Regatta 1898 (New College, Oxford), Grand Challenge Cup (Eights), Henley 1900 (Leander) and Stewards Challenge Cup (Fours), Henley 1900 (Leander)
Provenance: Robert Octavius Pitman W.S. was a member of the Pitman family who were partners in the legal firm of J & F Anderson of 42 Castle Street Edinburgh, later amalgamated into Anderson Strathern. After his rowing career for New College Oxford and Leander Rowing Club he settled at The Corner House, Gullane, with his wife Beatrice (née Sanderson). Robert was also part of the eight that won the 55th Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race of 1898 and the Leander Eight that won the Grand Challenge Cup, Henley in 1899. Hence by decent to his son and now to the present owner.