Lot 82: Agricultural Premium Coin Silver Julep Cup, Woodford, KY or OH

Coin silver agricultural premium trophy mint julep cup or beaker, possibly awarded by the Bourbon County Agricultural Society of Kentucky, circa 1836. Tapering sides with molded and reeded upper and lower rims, engraved “T.J. Woodford” to one side and “Premium” in script to the other. The underside is engraved BCAS, with WILLEY & BLAKSLEY and CINCINNATI stamped in rectangles. 3 1/2 in H. 4.56 oz troy. Note: Kentucky silver premium cups were often sourced from Cincinnati, just across the Ohio River. Benagah Bushnell Willey (1806-1850) was in partnership with Mr. Blaksley in Cincinnati from circa 1830-36. After, and possibly during that time, he lived in Harrison County, Kentucky, which is adjacent to Bourbon County and located between Lexington and Cincinnati. He married Susan Lail Willey in Harrison County, KY, in 1838, and they are listed as living in Harrison County, KY in the 1850 Federal Census just before his death at the age of 44. Even though the cup is engraved “TJ Woodford,” TJ is quite possibly John Thornton (J.T.) Woodford Jr. (1812-1892), a “farm and stock raiser” in Bourbon  Co. KY. John T. Woodford bred thoroughbred racehorses at his farm “Raceland” near Paris, Ky. He was a President of the Lexington Racing Association for six years and a cattle judge at BCAS in later years. John T. Woodford was also a grandson of William Woodford, a Revolutionary War general and namesake of Woodford County KY, where the Woodford Distillery was founded circa 1812.  

PROVENANCE: The collection of Hank and Mary Brockman.

CONDITION: Scattered tiny dents and scratches, overall very good condition.