Cheffins
Lot 588
maker's mark partially erased, possibly William Shaw II, London 1763, of traditional baluster form with leaf capped scroll handle, engraved to the base, 'John David Tharp from his godfather John J Astor Oct 9th 1922' 10.1ozt (Dimensions: H; 13cm W; 9cm)(H; 13cm W; 9cm)Footnote: Lieutenant-Colonel John Jacob Astor V, 1st Baron Astor of Hever, DL was an American-born English newspaper proprietor, politician, sportsman, military officer and a member of the Astor family. He was born in Manhattan, New York City, in 1886 - the fourth child of William Waldorf Astor, 1st Viscount Astor, and Mary Dahlgren Paul. He was five years old when his family left New York to live in England. He represented Great Britain in rackets at the 1908 Summer Olympics, winning the gold medal in the men's doubles competition and bronze in the men's singles event. In 1922, he purchased The Times newspaper following the death of its owner, Alfred Harmsworth. During his tenure, the newspaper sponsored Edmund Hillary's expedition which made the first successful climb to the summit of Mount Everest. Astor remained Chairman of the paper until 1959 when his son, Gavin, took over. On 21 January 1956 he was created Baron Astor of Hever, of Hever Castle, in Kent. In 1962, he moved from England to France andhe died on 19 July, 1971 in Cannes.
