1478

PRESENTATION GORHAM STERLING FLASK COMMEMORATING AN IMPORTANT SILVER MINE.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:8,250.00 USD Estimated At:16,500.00 - 22,500.00 USD
PRESENTATION GORHAM STERLING FLASK COMMEMORATING AN IMPORTANT SILVER MINE.
This magnificent sterling silver flask was one of only 15 produced for silver mogul Alex Shepherd. Shepard used these special flasks to commemorate his fabulously successful silver mine and in turn presented this flask to Hallett Kilbourn in 1888. The reverse of the flask has an engraved relief portrait bust of Shepherd together with the inscription to his friend. The front of the flask has in relief a fabulous large cactus designs on either side. The center portion of the flask being engraved with a highly detailed scene depicting the mountain into which the silver mine was dug and a huge silver refining plant in the center. The detail is fabulous. Alex Shepherd was originally on the board of Public Works in Washington D.C. and became governor of the district during the corrupt period under Ulysses S. Grant. By 1876 Shepherd has gone bankrupt and in 1879 he went to Mexico and invested in the silver mine in Batopilas, Chihuahua, Mexico. The old mine turned into a tremendous profitable thing for Shepherd and the population of the local town, when he arrived was 300, but within a few years the population had grown to 4,000. In 1877, Shepherd returned to Washington with great fan-fare to promote his mine and it was at this time that he ordered these very special flasks that would serve as presentations to important figures and friends. Mr. Hallett Kilbourn, who received this flask was born in 1833 and was a real-estate broker and journalist in Washington D.C. and had business dealings and became a friend with Shepherd through both of these professions. Kilbourn was famous for refusing to testify before a judiciary committee investigating real-estate dealing in Washington and it was at that time that Shepherd had gained notoriety in the real-estate pool and had in fact become known as "Boss Shepherd". Kilbourn as president of the Washington Critic News printed vary favorable reports about Shepherds return to the city and helped organize a gala & parade attended by 100,000 people on October 6, 1887. There were 15 of these flasks produced, 5 were given to the Mexican government official and 10 to American's. Four flasks are currently in museum collections. Two are in the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian Institution, one is in the Fine Arts Museum in Houston, and the fourth is in the Brooklyn Museum. SIZE: Approximately 7-1/2" h x 5-1/2" w and 1-1/2" deep. CONDITION: The hinged sterling lid, which is corked line, when lifted exposes the pouring spout. There is a small dent on this pouting spout, which is completely covered by the lid when the lid is in place. Otherwise, the flask is in outstanding condition. 8-45216 JJ17