FINE ANTIQUE AMERICAN GORHAM SILVER ALIGATOR PATTERN MATCH SAFE

Description

FINE ANTIQUE AMERICAN GORHAM SILVER ALIGATOR PATTERN MATCH SAFE
FINE ANTIQUE AMERICAN GORHAM SILVER ALIGATOR PATTERN MATCH SAFE
FINE ANTIQUE AMERICAN GORHAM SILVER ALIGATOR PATTERN MATCH SAFE
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ANTIQUE AMERICAN  GORHAM GENTLEMAN'S SILVER
ALLIGATOR PATTERN POCKET MATCH SAFE
WITH ORGINAL UNTOUCHED NATURAL DARK AGED PATINA
This is an Antique American Gorham Marked silver pocket match safe, intended for a Gentleman's vest / jacket pocket; circa late 1800's to early 1900's. In the 19th Century, almost all men used tobacco of some sort. This piece was created as a Match Safe to hold the wooden match sticks that could be struck on just about any surface to be lit. Obviously, these matches needed a container to safely carry around to secure the highly flammable strike-anywhere phosphorous matches in common use at the time. Only a Man of means would have been able to afford a Gorham smoking accessory. Gentlemen, as well as gamblers, desired fancy goods; i.e., a fancy match holder that would, when occasion required, be brought out of the vest or jacket pocket with great flourish; offering a match to their friend or acquaintance with a flair of gentlemanly Victorian courtesy. Even then, match safes were considered an object d' art, status symbol, and necessary accouterment for a proper Gentleman. This is a quality Gorham silver pocket match safe, about 2 1/2" tall x 1 3/8" wide and 9/16" thick. One side of the top inside rim is Maker marked "GORHAM CO." & their "ANCHOR" logo, and "035" on the back side rim followed by the letter P. Gorham has lots of different logos, marks and date stamps. This piece is heavy for it's size, and weighs 1.4 oz., or 39 grams; so I believe this is solid silver. However, I don't have a silver acid test kit, so I will list it as silver plated. This Alligator pattern is an original Gorham pattern. This rectangular match safe is embossed in an Alligator skin pattern, with the back ground depressed that creates a 3 dimensional appearance. The top lid snaps shut and aligns with the base properly. The base of this match safe has a line engraved panel to create a striking surface for the phosphorous strike-anywhere matches. This strike plate was mostly filled with match stick phosphorous reside, and remains in untouched, as found condition. Some collectors like their silver items polished, others prefer a patina. Regardless, silver will acquire naturally occurring patina over time. Almost all silver match safes have been polished and cleaned many times in it's lifetime. In my opinion, advanced collectors love silver with an unpolished look with dark patina overall. This one has untouched, naturally occurring aging; the best I have ever seen on this pattern matchsafe. The top has a strong spring and snaps closed. Overall in excellent condition, with light pocket wear to the soft silver from use, and displays well. The front side has slightly lighter patina than the back; and the back side has darker aged patina. Note it is very difficult to photograph a shiny silver item; I took dozens of pics to try to capture the color and condition. This would be perfect for any Antique match safe, vesta, cheroot, cigar, pipe, cigarette, tobacco, Gentleman's, Gamblers, smoker's or silver accouterment / accessory / smalls collection. This handsome, eye appealing Gorham Alligator pattern match safe would make a nice gift; and could still be used today by a discerning gentleman or lady to carry matches.
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Gorham Silver was founded in Providence, Rhode Island in 1831 by Master Craftsman Jabez Gorham. The firm's chief product was coin silver spoons, but also made thimbles, combs, jewelry, and other small items. In 1842, the Congress enacted a tariff which effectively blocked the importation of silverware from outside the United States. When Jabez retired in 1847, his son John Gorham succeeded him. In 1852, he introduced mechanized production methods, enlarged the premises in downtown Providence, and expanded the product line. In 1865, the Rhode Island legislature granted a charter in the name of Gorham Manufacturing Company. In 1884 Gorham opened a Manhattan N.Y. retail store; then moved to a 5th Ave. N.Y. location in 1905. In 1906, Gorham purchased long-time rival, New Jersey based Kerr & Co, and in 1929, another long time rival Black, Starr & Frost merged with Gorham. The firm made silver service for the Lincoln White House, Ulysses S. Grant, the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition in 1876 and had many other accolades. The heyday of American silver manufacturing of renowned firms such as Gorham, Tiffany & Co., Black, Starr & Frost and Whiting was approximately 1850 - 1940.
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WEST COAST TRADING POST STORE!
CLICK ON " VISIT STORE " BELOW MY USER NAME
IN THE UPPER RIGHT HAND CORNER OF MY LISTINGS.
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