THE STORY: At the height of the Civil War Susanne Ross Blackinton’s great-great-grandfather founded a company that did silversmithing, goldsmithing, engraving and more. Today S.R. Blackinton LLC carries on that tradition through trophies, baby gifts, jewelry and cups at its Smithfield location.
› The company helps the BIG3 3-on-3 basketball league celebrate its championship with the Julius Erving Trophy
› One has been made each year since BIG3 was founded in 2017
› The trophy uses various metals and tops it off with a 24-karat, gold-plated basketball
› Each trophy takes two to three months for the four Blackinton specialty craftspeople to create
› The techniques used – metal spinning, silversmithing, polishing and engraving – date back to at least the 1800s, with some passed down from Old World craftspeople over the centuries
› Blackinton also crafts the Kentucky Derby trophy, including three small sterling silver replicas given to the winning owner, trainer and jockey
