The 1912 U.S. National Championships (now known as the US Open) took place on the outdoor grass courts at the Newport Casino in Newport, Rhode Island.  The men's singles tournament ran from August 19 until August 26, while the women's singles and doubles championship took place from June 10 to June 15 at the Philadelphia Cricket Club in Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania.  It was the 32nd U.S. National Championships and the second Grand Slam tennis event of the year.  Mary K Browne, former US No. 1 ranked player, won the trifecta of awards at the 1912 US Open including the Women’s Singles, Doubles, and Mixed Doubles partnered with Richard Norris Williams II.  Norris Williams would go on to win two US Open Men’s Single titles in 194 and 1916.

What is most fascinating however about this Tennis event and award is that is was held in the Summer of 1912, just four months after the infamous sinking of the RMS Titanic.  Norris Williams II was aboard the Titanic and had plunged into the near freezing waters on that fateful night of April.  He and his father were traveling first class on the liner when it struck an iceberg and sank. Shortly after the collision, Williams freed a trapped passenger from a cabin by breaking down a door. He was reprimanded by a steward, who threatened to fine him for damaging White Star Line property, an event that inspired a scene in James Cameron’s film Titanic in 1997. Williams remained on the doomed liner almost until the very end. After being washed overboard by a wave that also took off Colonel Archibald Gracie and  and Second Officer Charles Lightoller along with several others, the 21-year-old Williams made his way to the partially-submerged Collapsible A, holding onto its side for quite a while before getting in.

After entering the lifeboat, he spent several hours knee-deep in the freezing water. Carpathia arrived on the scene to rescue survivors, but his father was lost in the disaster. The ordeal left his legs so severely frostbitten that the Carpathia's doctor wanted to amputate them. Williams, who did not want his tennis career to end, opted instead to work through the injury by simply getting up and walking around every two hours, around the clock. The choice worked out well for him as later this year, he won his first US Tennis Championship and went on to win many more championships including the Davis Cup with fellow survivor Karl Behr.

This 1912 1st Prize US Lawn Tennis Championship Mixed Doubles Trophy is Inscribed on the side “Lawn Tennis Championship of the United States Mixed Doubles 1912 First Prize” and Inscribed on the other side “Won By Norris Williams Jr and Mary K Browne.”  The trophy is in excellent condition for its age of 108 years. There is a small dent between the words "FIRST" and "PRIZE". It measures 6.0" wide x 7.0" high x 3.75" diameter.   Browne and Williams were multiple Major Tournament winners and are members of the International Tennis Hall of fame both inducted in 1957.  This incredible relic was awarded for the victory of two pioneers of the sport for their mixed doubles performance at the 1912 US Lawn Tennis Championships, now known as the US Open.

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