FINE ANTIQUE STERLING SILVER RARE HEART SHAPED GORHAM POCKET FLASK DATED 1871

Description

FINE ANTIQUE STERLING SILVER RARE HEART SHAPED GORHAM POCKET FLASK DATED 1871
FINE ANTIQUE STERLING SILVER RARE HEART SHAPED GORHAM POCKET FLASK DATED 1871
FINE ANTIQUE STERLING SILVER RARE HEART SHAPED
AMERICAN VICTORIAN WHISKEY / SPIRITS
PRESENTATION POCKET FLASK BY GORHAM DATED 1871
This is rare pattern of a high-quality whiskey/spirits flask in the desirable small Heart shape pocket size by the renowned American maker Gorham. This shape was favored as a gift given by Gentlemen and Ladies to those who have garnered s presenting a heart shaped flask. This small pocket size would have been suitable for a Gambler, Sporting Gentleman or Lady’s purse; especially during the "Roaring 90's". This size flask was sold and used as “nipper” flask by gents (or ladies) needing an occasional “nip” of “medicinal” spirits. The shape and style of the mouthpiece and the bayonet style cap is identical to the larger size pocket whiskey / spirit flasks, but proportionately smaller.
Gorham Silver was founded in Providence, Rhode Island in 1831 by Master Craftsman Jabez Gorham. The firm's chief product was coin silver spoons, but also made thimbles, combs, jewelry, and other small items. In 1842, the Congress enacted a tariff which effectively blocked the importation of silverware from outside the United States. When Jabez retired in 1847, his son John Gorham succeeded him. In 1852, he introduced mechanized production methods, enlarged the premises in downtown Providence, and expanded the product line. In 1865, the Rhode Island legislature granted a charter in the name of
Gorham Manufacturing Company
. In 1884 Gorham opened a Manhattan N.Y. retail store; then moved to a 5th Ave. N.Y. location in 1905. In 1906, Gorham purchased long-time rival, New Jersey based Kerr & Co, and in 1929, another longtime rival Black, Starr & Frost merged with Gorham. The firm made silver service for the Lincoln White House, Ulysses S. Grant, the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition in 1876 and had many other accolades. The heyday of American silver manufacturing of renowned firms such as Gorham, Tiffany & Co., Black, Starr & Frost and Whiting was approximately 1850 - 1940.
This rare pocket size heart shaped flask is hand blown glass with an outside shell of sterling silver that has a scalloped and stylized cut out in the center on both sides. When held up to the light, the glass is clear; however, the shadow in the image makes the glass appear black. The cut outs on both sides are embellished with fancy line engraving in scroll and leaf patterns with feathered engraved accents. Both sides have presentation initials in Old English script that appear to be JR and LLR that are the initials of the recipient and giver. Below the initials, the engraver signed the piece in small script letters, cju.
This piece is about 4" tall x 3" wide x 1 1/4" thick and is heavy for its size at 7.2 ounces or 206 grams. The flask tapers from the thick shoulders and narrows towards the bottom. The bottom of the flask is flat and allows it to stand upright and is marked with the set of Gorham marks used in the last quarter of the 19
th
century, i.e., the lion mark for sterling, the anchor and the Stylized letter G, all without a border. The bottom also has the capital letter D for the date year 1871, the numeral 2, and a 1 over the numeral 8 and OZ. There are also hand scratched initials by the Craftsman that appear to be S EX. The bayonet style silver top with the orginal cork in good condition. I have not tested the flask, but the screw cap rotates counterclockwise to open and clockwise to close; and the screw top fits tightly in the closed position. The flask body has no dings or dents, splits, repairs, or alterations. As is frequently encountered with thin hollow silver tops, there is one small area to the edge that appears as a slight depression. This is hard to see from the top view but can be seen in the side profile and is not distracting from the overall presentation. The neck of the flask is marked STERLING.
This an eye appealing and rare silver flask that is in fine condition overall considering its extreme age of 150 years, with an American Heritage by Gorham. This would be suitable for any Whiskey or Spirits flask collection. NOTE: it is very difficult to photograph a shiny curved metal object that reflects everything and creates shadows; and I took dozens of images with different backgrounds for this listing.
PAYMENT
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PAYPAL & ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER, e-CHECKS & ALL MAJOR CREDIT & DEBIT CARDS, APPLE PAY, GOOGLE PAY AND ALL OTHER PAYMENT METHODS APROVED BUY EBAY.
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SHIPPING
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FREE SHIPPING & HANDLING FOR DOMESTIC BUYERS & TO THE EBAY U.S.A. INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING CENTER.
FOR USA PURCHASES, SHIPPING, HANDLING & DELIVERY IS FREE VIA U.S.P.S. FIRST CLASS MAIL (UP TO 16 OZ.) OR U.S.P.S. PRIORITY MAIL USING ONLINE SHIPPING LABELS WITH DELIVERY CONFIRMATION. INTERNATIONAL BUYERS WILL HAVE THEIR ITEM SHIPPED TO EBAY'S U.S. INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING CENTER; AND EBAY WILL INFORM THE BUYER OF THE ADDITIONAL SHIPPING / CUSTOMS / TARIFFS, VALUE ADDED OR ANY OTHER FEES, LEVIES OR TAXES. All items are shipped within 1 to 2 business days with email confirmation. Exceptions include holidays, power outages, and evacuations. Items shipped to a California address require CA State sales tax of 8.625% or a valid CA seller's permit # or the item cannot be shipped. All items are shipped using PayPal or eBay's online shipping service and are covered for non-delivery by their shipping service with free tracking and delivery confirmation. BUYER AGREES TO EBAYS RULE THAT SIGNATURE CONFIRMATIN IS REQUIRED FOR ALL ITEMS OVER 0, AND OTHER SHIPPING CHARGES SUCH AS U.S.P.S. EXPRESS MAIL MUST BE REQUESTED AND PAID FOR ANY OPTIONS WITH PURCHASE, AND WILL MAKE DELIVERY ARRANGEMENTS FOR ITEMS REQUIRING A SIGNATURE AS PROOF OF RECEIPT.
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TERMS & CONDITIONS
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ALL BUYERS MUST CONFIRM HIGH BIDDER STATUS AND MUST MAKE PAYMENT WITHIN 3 BUSINESS DAYS OR 5 CALENDAR DAYS AFTER LISTING ENDS; otherwise, Seller reserves the right to cancel the sale and report you to eBay as a non-paying bidder. Seller reserves the right to relist an item if eBay's system goes down within 24 hours of the end of the auction. Bids will not be accepted from anyone that is not a registered eBay user. Seller reserves the right to cancel bids from any eBay buyer who Seller determines has an unsatisfactory eBay transaction history, has changed their eBay user Identity in the previous 30 days, whose eBay rating is listed as private.
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SELLER'S RETURN POLICY
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eBay customers are protected when they are an eligible buyer, complete a purchase of an eligible item on a eBay's website, and purchase the item on eBay by using the "Pay Now" option, third-party checkout or an eBay invoice in one lump payment with a PayPal approved financial business. Buyers must keep their PayPal account in good standing. Buyers must show good faith conduct with the seller. Improper good faith conduct can include, but is not limited to, any means by which a buyer can attempt to unjustly benefit from the Seller's Terms & conditions or eBay's Buyer Protection plan. Moreover, good faith conduct does not include buyer's remorse, regardless of the reason. Returns will not be accepted such as changed my mind, found a better price, just didn't like it, Ordered by mistake, Arrived too late, etc. Returns will not be accepted and buyers will be reported to eBay when buyer makes
false
claims such as doesn't match description or photos, doesn't seem authentic, Doesn't fit, Wrong item sent, Missing parts or pieces, Doesn't work or defective, Arrived damaged. If you wish to take advantage of any of the issue resolution options available from the seller, you must have the business courtesy to discuss any potential issue within 3 days of receipt, and gain agreement with the seller prior to requesting a return through eBay, leaving feedback or initiating any online dispute process. By doing so, buyers commit to negotiate in good faith, and that they have not initiated any other form of resolution processing; including eBay / PayPal dispute process or credit card charge backs, or purchases where you have been or may be compensated by a third party. Possible buyer / seller resolution examples are: if seller and buyer agree that an item is significantly different than described and photographed, exchanging an item for a different item from the seller (whether listed or unlisted), credit from the seller against any current or future item, adjustment, trade, return, or any other arrangement that is mutually agreed upon between the seller and the buyer, and confirmed in writing via eBay's email system. These options are designed to expedite resolution of any potential issue quickly, easily and amicably, in lieu of eBay / PayPal on-line dispute resolution process which is lengthy, laborious, and allows decisions to be made by a 3rd party instead of the principals; i.e., the buyer & seller. Due to a myriad of International and U.S. Federal, State, Territory, County, City or Local law(s), ordinance(s), restrictions(s) or regulation(s), some articles shipped via U.S.P.S. may have restrictions and / or regulations that may apply to your article(s) shipped to a U.S. address. Buyers are responsible for knowing if any International, Federal, State, Territory, County, City or Local law(s), ordinance(s), restrictions(s) or regulation(s) may apply to your article(s) shipped to your ship to your address; and buyers are responsible for any loss if any prohibited or restricted item(s) shipped to your ship to address is confiscated for any reason. Any item returned must be pre-approved by the seller and received by seller within 7 days from receipt. If a buyer claims the item is damaged in shipping, it must send photographic proof on eBays email system, gain agreement with the seller, and item must be returned before buyer enters a feedback comment and before any exchange, credit or refund is issued. Buyer must use appropriate shipping, delivery confirmation and / or signature confirmation (items 0 ) and/or insurance at the buyers expense. Restocking fee, partial refunds and refunds are negotiable when buyers are dealing in good faith.
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ALL BUYERS AGREE TO SELLERS RETURN POLICY THAT SUPERSEDES EBAYS RETURN POLICY FOR ALL ITEMS.
v.9.19.2020
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