An American Silver "Martele" Child's Mug, Gorham Mfg.Co., Providence, Rhode Island; retailed by Bailey, Banks & Biddle, Philadelphia, 1898
No reserve
Auction Closed
April 20, 07:56 PM GMT
Estimate
1,500 - 2,500 USD
Lot Details
Description
An American Silver "Martele" Child's Mug, Gorham Mfg.Co., Providence, Rhode Island; retailed by Bailey, Banks & Biddle, Philadelphia, 1898
Of cylindrical form with hammered finish, embossed with a band of lily pads and flowers, the handle chased with overlapping leaves, eagle's-head thumbpiece, gilt interior, the base with a 1900 presentation inscription, marked on base with sample code 8 and year symbol, also retailer's mark.
3 3/8 in. (8.6 cm) high
7 oz. 10 dwt. (233 g)
Wolf Family Collection No. 0633 (acquired from the above)
Sample number 8 places this at the very beginning of Gorham's development of the Martelé line. Pristo has notes that it was produced between March and May, 1898, in the first full year of Martelé production, and within six months of the debut of the line at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York in November, 1897. It required 12 hours to form, and another 12 hours to chase, and had a net factory price of $27.
The slightly later inscription reads, "H.B.P. Jr. From his Godfather Harry B. French, May 20, 1900." Harry B. French (1857-1925) was born in Philadelphia and attended University of Pennsylvania and Harvard. He joined the wholesale drug firm of French, Richards & Co., then was a Vice-President at Smith, Kline, & French. He served as President of the Municipal League, and was a member of the University Club, Church Club, Art Club, Radnor Hunt, Merion Cricket Club, and Chess Club.
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