Dauvray Cup

Dauvray Cup
First awarded:	1887
Last awarded:	1893
Current location:	Unknown
Last holder:	Boston Beaneaters
Most Cups:	Boston Beaneaters (3)

The Dauvray Cup was a championship trophy awarded in professional baseball from 1887 to 1893. Named after Helen Dauvray, who presented the cup, it was initially awarded to the winner of the World Series between the National League and American Association. It was the first World Series trophy. The last National League-American Association series was in 1890, with the latter collapsing after the end of the following season. The cup was then awarded to the winner of the National League pennant. Like the Stanley Cup, the same trophy was used each season rather than a new one being made. The Dauvray Cup has since been lost.

The cup was named for its presenter, Broadway actress Helen Dauvray. In 1887, Dauvray began a relationship with John Montgomery Ward, shortstop for the New York Giants and future Hall of Famer. Their marriage was announced in October of that year during the World Series.

Dauvray first announced her intentions to present the trophy in newspapers on May 21, 1887. The announcement described the cup as "a $500 silver cup" in "the form of a true lovers' cup ... about twelve inches high". On June 1, the Gorham Silver Company began the process of creating the trophy. When some, including National League president Nicholas Young, suggested that the trophy was more for the owner of the winning team than the players, Dauvray agreed to award gold medals to the players of the winning team as well as one umpire. Some newspapers at the time, including the Brooklyn Eagle and Police Gazette, dismissed the trophy as a publicity stunt designed more to promote Dauvray herself than out of a fondness for baseball.

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