$3-mil Centre Harbor oars from 1852

fatlazyless · 04-21-2022, 07:11 PM

Estimated to sell for three to five million dollars at auction online on May 17, these oars were awarded to the Harvard vs Yale crew race winning team held on August 3, 1852 in Centre Harbor.

https://www.sothebys.com/en/articles...sports-history

These oars were presented to the winning team by U.S. Senator from New Hampshire and future president, Franklin Pierce, who had recently been nominated Democratic candidate for president in the election to be held on November 2, 1852.

This here pair of historic oars, made from black walnut, were originally purchased by the race organizers in late July, 1852 at E M Heath's Hardware in Centre Harbor for the very reasonable price of four dollars and 75-cents. ......

8gv · 04-22-2022, 06:55 AM

Thanks for the heads up.

I'm on it!

upthesaukee · 04-22-2022, 10:49 AM

My bid is secured by the value of my house as collateral.

8gv · 04-22-2022, 12:48 PM

Maybe Harvard could buy them.

I believe their endowment has a few extra bucks in it.

tummyman · 04-22-2022, 03:23 PM

I would check a few facts...EM Heath's was originally opened in 1945, 90+ years after the alleged initial purchase.

John Mercier · 04-22-2022, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tummyman

I would check a few facts...EM Heath's was originally opened in 1945, 90+ years after the alleged initial purchase.

I think he was joking.

tummyman · 04-22-2022, 05:30 PM

Thanks JM for your opinion......I had assumed that point even thought the rest of FLL's info appears correct from the auction site and the EM Heath's citation was not.

fatlazyless · 04-24-2022, 06:47 PM

And, a recent letter to the Laconia Daily Sun from someone who has been around Centre Harbor for a good long time, mentioned that Millard Fillmore, the U.S. President at the time of the August 3, 1852 rowing race was indeed, actually present and was reported to be watching the race from the cupola look-out, high atop the historic Coe House.

https://timpanogos.blog/2013/04/05/m...more-waxes-on/ ...... Millard waxes on about his fantastic Coe House cupola view looking down that Centre Harbor bay as the rowers from Yale and Harvard raced it out!

And, here's a very informative letter to the local newspaper from:

.................................................. ..

Bob Heath: Harvard-Yale oar has Center Harbor history
updated Apr 22, 2022

To The Daily Sun,

In the April 22, edition of The Sun (page 4), there is an article concerning the prize for the first Harvard and Yale race being auctioned. The expected price, $3 million. I am surprised there was no mention of Center Harbor, since this was the location of this race. Millard Fillmore was president and I believe he viewed this race from the cupola of the Coe House. In 1952, there was the 100th anniversary celebration race held in Center Harbor. My dad, Everett Heath, was I believe the chair of the committee that put the anniversary race together from the Center Harbor end. Presidential candidate Dwight Eisenhower attended and viewed this race from the Coe House also (now Osteria Poggio restaurant).

I feel that more should be made of the Center Harbor involvement in both races. Both were great events for this little town.

Bob Heath

Center Harbor

.................................................. ......
.
.

04-21-2022, 07:11 PM	#1
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,738 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 300 Thanked 1,007 Times in 735 Posts	$3-mil Centre Harbor oars from 1852 Estimated to sell for three to five million dollars at auction online on May 17, these oars were awarded to the Harvard vs Yale crew race winning team held on August 3, 1852 in Centre Harbor. https://www.sothebys.com/en/articles...sports-history These oars were presented to the winning team by U.S. Senator from New Hampshire and future president, Franklin Pierce, who had recently been nominated Democratic candidate for president in the election to be held on November 2, 1852. This here pair of historic oars, made from black walnut, were originally purchased by the race organizers in late July, 1852 at E M Heath's Hardware in Centre Harbor for the very reasonable price of four dollars and 75-cents. ...... __________________ ... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake!

04-22-2022, 10:49 AM	#3
upthesaukee Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Alton Bay Posts: 5,596 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 2,453 Thanked 1,979 Times in 1,080 Posts	My bid is secured... My bid is secured by the value of my house as collateral. __________________ I Live Here... I am always UPTHESAUKEE !!!!

04-24-2022, 06:47 PM	#8
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,738 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 300 Thanked 1,007 Times in 735 Posts	And, a recent letter to the Laconia Daily Sun from someone who has been around Centre Harbor for a good long time, mentioned that Millard Fillmore, the U.S. President at the time of the August 3, 1852 rowing race was indeed, actually present and was reported to be watching the race from the cupola look-out, high atop the historic Coe House. https://timpanogos.blog/2013/04/05/m...more-waxes-on/ ...... Millard waxes on about his fantastic Coe House cupola view looking down that Centre Harbor bay as the rowers from Yale and Harvard raced it out! And, here's a very informative letter to the local newspaper from: .................................................. .. Bob Heath: Harvard-Yale oar has Center Harbor history updated Apr 22, 2022 To The Daily Sun, In the April 22, edition of The Sun (page 4), there is an article concerning the prize for the first Harvard and Yale race being auctioned. The expected price, $3 million. I am surprised there was no mention of Center Harbor, since this was the location of this race. Millard Fillmore was president and I believe he viewed this race from the cupola of the Coe House. In 1952, there was the 100th anniversary celebration race held in Center Harbor. My dad, Everett Heath, was I believe the chair of the committee that put the anniversary race together from the Center Harbor end. Presidential candidate Dwight Eisenhower attended and viewed this race from the Coe House also (now Osteria Poggio restaurant). I feel that more should be made of the Center Harbor involvement in both races. Both were great events for this little town. Bob Heath Center Harbor .................................................. ...... . . __________________ ... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake! Last edited by fatlazyless; 04-26-2022 at 04:35 AM.

The Following User Says Thank You to fatlazyless For This Useful Post:
Newbiesaukee (04-21-2022)

04-22-2022, 06:55 AM	#2
8gv Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,092 Thanks: 64 Thanked 744 Times in 478 Posts	Thanks for the heads up. I'm on it!

04-22-2022, 12:48 PM	#4
8gv Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,092 Thanks: 64 Thanked 744 Times in 478 Posts	Maybe Harvard could buy them. I believe their endowment has a few extra bucks in it.

04-22-2022, 03:23 PM	#5
tummyman Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 832 Thanks: 256 Thanked 672 Times in 243 Posts	I would check a few facts...EM Heath's was originally opened in 1945, 90+ years after the alleged initial purchase.

04-22-2022, 05:30 PM	#7
tummyman Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 832 Thanks: 256 Thanked 672 Times in 243 Posts	Thanks JM for your opinion......I had assumed that point even thought the rest of FLL's info appears correct from the auction site and the EM Heath's citation was not.