Chester Regatta Challenge Cup Prize silver medal won by E.B. Gibson, 1854.

Marked "The Gift of the Earl of Grosvenor MP" and engraved on reverse, "RCRC 'Victoria' P Mawdsley, E.B. Gibson, E Dixon, J.B. Littledale, H Roberts Cox. 29th Aug 1854".

E.B Gibson won this medal in the boat 'Victoria', built by Matthew Taylor of Newcastle-on-Tyne in 1854. It is the earliest surviving example of carvel smooth-bottomed construction, created by bringing the keel inboard. Royal Chester used it to win both the Stewards' and the Wyfold challenge cups at Henley in 1855. In the following year the club ordered an eight from Taylor in which they won the Grand and the Ladies' Plate. The 'Victoria' is on display in the Rowing Gallery.

Part of the Thomas E. Weil Collection. Thomas E. Weil is a very knowledgeable and respected collector of rowing memorabilia from all over the world. His extensive collection includes material from many years of the Oxford and Cambridge University Boat Race, and Henley Royal Regatta. He also lectures and writes on rowing history and is a Trustee of the River and Rowing Museum.