Pearl trophy given to the owner of the winning thoroughbred in the Cherry Blossom Purse race at Laurel, Maryland, on March 31, 1962. An appraisal letter comes with the trophy, and it reads in part: "The trophy was created and designed by Mikimoto, Inc., in Tokyo, Japan. The trophy consists of a horseshoe shaped 14K yellow gold frame containing three (3) rows of graduated cultural pearls strung on wire and cemented to the floor of the frame. The outermost row contains 48 pearls graduated in diameter 5.0 to 8.5. The middle row contains 47 pearls graduated in diameter from 4.5 to 7.5. The innermost contains 47 pearls graduating from 4.0 to 4.5. The pearls are uniformly cream in color with a slight iris overtone, round, well matched, and exhibit good luster. The horseshoe measures (outside dimensions) five inches in length, 13/16 inches wide at the open end and 1 and 9/16 inches the widest point on the top. The complete piece weighs 96.08. DWT. (4.8 oz.). The estimated weight of the 14K horseshoe-shaped frame is 40.0 DWT (2.0 ounces)." It is important to note that there is a typo present in the appraisal note. More specifically, the race took place in 1962, but the letter mistakenly says 1961.
Original newspaper clippings accompany the piece, including two that a show a photograph of the exact trophy being presented to the winners. "The Evening Star Newspaper, Sunday, April 8, 1962," is hand written in pen atop of one of the clippings. Below the writing is a photo that shows the jockey being presented with the trophy. The caption beneath the photo reads, "Herberto Hinojosa is presented with a pearl horse-shoe by Koichiro Asakai, Japanese Ambassador to the United States, after the Mexican jockey rode Mighty-Morn to victory in the Cherry Blossom Purse at Laurel last week." Another clipping includes a photo that features, "Senator Beall, Republican of Maryland, and Elaine Claire Schfauffer, the State's cherry blossom princes," holding the trophy.
One of the clippings is a short article titled, "Cherry Blossom Winner Collects Pearl Horseshoe," which provides an excellent write up about the trophy. "A pearl covered horseshoe, made by the Japanese pearl culture king, Mikimoto of Tokyo, will be awarded the owner of the winning thoroughbred of the Cherry Blossom Purse Saturday as Laurel Race Course begins it's 28-day spring meet."
The final item included with the trophy is a copy of the May 1962 issue of "The Diplomat" magazine. On page 4 of the magazine is a photo of Koichiro Asakai and Mariko Kosaka presenting jockey Herberto Hinojosa with the trophy.
The red leather case that holds the horseshoe-shaped pearl trophy measures 7x9.25", and scuff marks are visible on the outer case. A metal plate is present just below the horseshoe. "MIKIMOTO PEARLS" is engraved into the plate. Another metal plate was above the horseshoe, and the engraving reads, "CHERRY BLOSSOM PURSE, LAUREL ARCE COURSE, MARCH 31, 1961." The plate has become separated from the trophy, but can easily be re-attached.
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