Princeton Loving Cup C.1877 / James A. Campbell

 

Princeton loving cup, of porcelain, c. 1877, having belonged to James A. Campbell, '77, whose initials are finely decorated in gold on one side (JAC), the Princeton shield on another, and Princeton, the Princeton shield and Tiger and ’77 on the other. This very rare example is a diminutive 2 ¾” in height, is highly detailed and has a far more impressive presence than its dimensions would suggest.

Campbell was the class president of '77 all of his four years at Princeton, and remained so for a half century beyond.  Campbell Hall on the Princeton campus was built and named for him while he was still living. Nearly all of the funds for the dormitory were raised in one hour at the class of '77s thirtieth reunion. Two years later, Campbell Hall was completed and occupied. Campbell was the President of the Princeton Athletic Association, 1876 – 1877, Treasurer of the Princeton Athletic Club, 1875 – 1876, played first base on the Princeton University Baseball Club, 1874 – 1875, rowed freshman crew at the number three position, 1874 and 1875, rowed for the University crew at the number 2 position, 1876, and substituted on the University Twenty Football Team 1876 – 1877.