Description

This is a high-grade pewter cup a type which has been attributed to the use of some officers, even in the field. During the period a pewter product was also produced which was referred to as “Britannia”. It had a higher silver content then pewter and a brighter finish when new. This piece is also marked as being quadruple plate and numbered. (“Quadruple”, “Rockford Silver P. Co.”, a scale symbol, and “293”. My research at the time I bought it twenty years ago or so indicates I got back to the early 1870s with this name combined with another also using the scale, but no info from before the merger, so assume it predates that. It will represent and display very well as it has classic 1850s-1860s style. Multiple documented American plating companies existed well back into the 1850s. Electroplating technology was well known and took off in the 1840s with improved methods. Quadruple plating was an 1850-60s craze as it use/applied four times the silver in the single process and was highly prized above all other silver plating. At the time and as a collectible it is also considered a more valuable product) The cup is dark with age and patina and shows evidence of honest use – not a mantel piece. While the General Officer’s Mess (primarily Southern) and occasional individual use is discussed there is also evidence of such items being looted from well to do homes during raids and campaigns, used in the field and then taken home as souvenirs. One such example is pictured on page 125 of CWCE, Vol II, identified to a soldier who claimed to have stolen it from the Mayor of Petersburg’s house and later had it engraved to commemorate the event. This would look great in any display depicting any aspect of this documented CW era use. Great character, that is why we first inventoried it some 15-20 yrs ago. Always looking for those uniquely documented pieces of mid 19thc culture. (CWPG $85.00)