International Gold Cup
The International Gold Cup won by Walter Lindrum in the 1930/31 season was sold at auction at Sotheby's, Melbourne on the 7th of December, 1992. It fetched $50,600 (Australian) which is about £23,000. Ms.Dolly Lindrum has been the main custodian of Lindrum's memorabilia since the great player's death in 1960, but, aged 70, felt that she wanted to see the cup in a safe home as:- "I'd rather see where it is placed and have my mind put at rest than have it sold off when I die, but I've been depressed about it for weeks.It would break my heart if somebody had it melted down or something like that."
The cup was auctioned together with an engraved pocket watch which was also presented to Lindrum on his winning the Gold Cup. Ms.Lindrum wants the proceeds, together with any money raised by the sale of other Lindrum memorabilia, to go towards erecting a monument to Lindrum in Melbourne.
The Gold Cup was won by Lindrum in 1930 in what is generally reckoned to be the greatest billiards tournament ever staged. A series of heats finished with Lindrum, Newman, and Davis each having four wins. This meant that a play-off was necessary. Lindrum drew the bye. Newman beat Davis 30,663 - 25,515. The final was played from the 1st to the 14th of February, 1931. Tom Newman, receiving 7000, was in the form of his life and after seven sessions had established a lead of 9,177. It was not until the 22nd of the 26 sessions that he was caught and Lindrum went on to win the match 25,807 to 24,436. Lindrum scored seven 1000 breaks including 2,835 and 2,583, and averaged 248.1 Newman averaged 169.3 And wouldn't it be nice to make a 200 break!