Of Presidential Interest (at that time Grover Cleveland was President):
A late 19th century American silver presentation vase.
The base incuse stamped "Moore & Leding, Designers & Makers, Washington DC" above "Sterling Silver 925-1000 fine", c1895.
Baluster form with slender neck, the lower section finely chased with a scene depicting a ship in distress with a rescue ship in the background, within a surround of scrolls, cast handles formed as the American Eagle atop the shield on the Great Seal of the United States. Rim of vase applied with 13 star motifs and engraved with the following inscription:
"From The President of the United States to Captain Amos Hawkett of The British Steamship, Queensmore, in recognition of his humane services in effecting the rescue of the crews of the American schooners, ALMA CUMMINGS and MARION F SPRAGUE, February 12th and 13th, 1895";
together with a newspaper article recording the gallant efforts of Captain Amos Hawkett's attempt in rescuing the crews of The Alma Cummings and The Queensmore. For his bravery, Hawkett was given a vase, a watch and a banquet at Gordon's on Gay Street (possibly Gordon's Wine Bar, London?). Also in the article, the journalist records the watch as "a singularly handsome piece of jewelery (sic) and it bears an inscription on its case denoting the reason for the presentation. It cost over $200." It is interesting to note that this particular watch appeared in auction, Cape Town, in 2013.
Footnote:
1. Manufactures:-
Moore & Leding are better known for their production and sales of American souvenir spoons. Given this, it is possible that they bought this vase from one of the leading New York silversmithing companies, probably Tiffany or Gorham.
2. The Steamship Company:-
This was the second steamship to be named The Queensmore, (the first caught fire on her maiden voyage in 1889 and was put into Dunmanus Bay, Ireland and abandoned). The second, the one mentioned in this rescue, was sold in 1896 to the Elder Dempster Line by the Johnston Line. The latter company was formed prior to 1872 by William and Edmund Johnston. Their first steamer was purchased in 1872 and traded with countries in the Black Sea, as well as Greece and Turkey. The Johnston brothers formed and amalgamated with a number of other shipping companies, notably the St Andrews Steam Shipping Company, in 1876, and the Atlantic Services in 1880. This was in conjunction with The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company, who specialised in the transport in live cattle. From this collaboration, it resulted in a direct shipping trade route between Boston and London.
3. The President of the United States in 1896:-
Stephen Grover Cleveland was born on 18th March 1837 in Caldwell, New Jersey and died in 1908 at the age of 71.
Cleveland was a heavyweight in politics, as well as body mass. He was a heavy 250 pounds and known as 'Big Steve'. It was perhaps because of this he dropped his first name and adopted Grover Cleveland as his preferred name.
Cleveland's early career was as a teacher at the New York Institute for The Blind before embarking on a career in Law. During his political career, his first position was Sheriff of Erie County. This was for two years from 1871-1873. Between 1873 and 1881 he returned to his practice yet after some persuasion he ran for Mayor of Buffalo. His main cause for this return was the internal corruption of the City Government and, through his campaigning, he won. Although some of the battles he fought in the political arena, whilst Mayor, were for cost cuttings, he was popular with the voters, and was acknowledged by his fellow assemblymen, Theodore Roosevelt in particular noticed Cleveland's abilities.
Cleveland was a member of the Democratic Party, and is the only President to date to serve two non-consecutive terms of office, the 22nd and 24th President. The campaign before his first term (1884-1888) saw a number of scandals: on Cleveland's side a paternity suit and on his rival's side several financial scandals!
The second term (1892-1896) was more quiet and restrained. However, during his tenure viz financial crisis, railroad bankruptcy and issues concerning his opposition of discrimination against Chinese immigrants in the West and, on the other hand, he did not support equality for African Americans nor voting rights for women. CONDITION REPORT: The colour is flat ,this is due to the fact that the silver has been cleaned with liquid silver dip. It has now left the vase flat in colour and patchy. The reverse, scroll-edged panel, has a dent of approx 3/4 of an inch (2cm) and one small hole the size of a pin head in decoration. Eagle motif`s handles are crisp, yet there is gentle wear to the high relief decoration, this is commensurate with the age of the vase. Internal gilding flat in colour otherwise the vase is in good order.
The separate disc that is secured to the base is loose and pitch filling uneven, This disc is incuse engraved with "Moore & Leding, Designers and makers, Washington DC", these marks are clear
Height 28.5 cm
approx total Weight 1650 Grams (52 oz)
