Exceptional Antiques, Fine Art and Design Auction
Lot 327:
Tiffany and Co. Historic Presentation Gavel for George T Bell, 1909
Description
An extraordinary Tiffany & Co. presentation gavel and fitted case presented by the New England Passenger Association to George Turnbull Bell, Passenger Traffic Manager of the Grand Trunk Railway and President of the American Association of General Passenger and Ticket Agents, at Toledo, Ohio, on September 14, 1909.
Created as a symbolic celebration of transportation throughout Canada, the United States, and Mexico, the gavel incorporates materials associated with rail, maritime, aviation, and bridge engineering. The fitted case is constructed of British Columbia fir with Mexican ebony banding and fitted with solid 18-karat gold hinges, lock, and presentation plaque. The gavel head is fashioned from oak from the Northern Navigation Company steamship Hamonic and incorporates a steel rivet from Montreal’s Victoria Bridge and strands from the Niagara Suspension Bridge. The silver collar was made from silver supplied by poet and physician Dr. William Henry Drummond. Most remarkably, the handle incorporates wood supplied by Orville Wright from an aircraft involved in his 1908 Fort Myers crash, accompanied by Wright’s signed letter confirming its origin.
The lid bears the presentation inscription: "FROM THE NEW ENGLAND PASSENGER ASSOCIATION TO GEO. T. BELL PRESIDENT AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF GENERAL PASSENGER AND TICKET AGENTS TOLEDO, OHIO SEPT. 14 1909."
Accompanied by a remarkable archive of original correspondence documenting the sourcing of the various materials, including a letter from Orville Wright. An exceptional and likely unique artifact linking the early history of rail transportation, engineering, and aviation in North America.
Provenance:The gavel was passed down to William Bell (George’s son) and then bequeathed to Frank L Windsor (Who was a friend of William and executor of his will) in the 1960s. It was then passed down to Nancy Windsor. Bought privately from Nancy Windsor.
Condition report:
This sale is made without warranty whatsoever at the sole risk and peril of the buyer. ALL SALES ARE FINAL. Cette vente se fait sans aucune garantie, aux risques et périls de l\'acheteur. Toute vente est définitive. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE BUYER TO VERIFY THE CONDITION AND/OR AUTHENTICITY OF THE ITEM, EITHER IN PERSON DURING OUR VIEWING HOURS PRIOR TO AUCTION OR THROUGH REQUESTED CONDITION REPORTS. Although care is taken to photograph and describe the item, absence of a condition report does not imply perfect condition. All bids are final and are subject to our terms and conditions.
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