Spaulding & Company sterling silver three-handled commemorative Columbian Exposition (Chicago World's Fair), loving cup, American, 1893. Beautifully crafted custom made loving cup. The base medallion, which depicts a relief of Christopher Columbus on the interior, and a ship scene at its underside, is plated copper. Each of the three handles ends with a United States of America Columbian Half Dollar. The Columbian half dollar was the first commemorative coin made in the United States. A roundel with a depiction in relief of Columbus, George Washington, and an American eagle appears on one side. Another roundel with a depiction in relief of the Columbian Exposition Chicago appears on another. Lastly, 'Gertrude M. Hubbard, from Gardiner G. Hubbard, Dec. 25th 1893' executed in a highly detailed font appears on another side. Weighs approximately 76 ozt, which includes the silver plated copper medallion at base. Provenance: The Estate of Joan Blair Sullivan, the oldest surviving great-grandchild of Mabel and Alexander Graham Bell. First owned by Gardiner Greene Hubbard, and thence by decent through the family. This cup was custom made for Gardiner Greene Hubbard as a Christmas gift for his wife Gertrude Mercer McCurdy Hubbard to commemorate their trip to the World's Columbian Exposition, also known as The Chicago World's Fair in 1893. Hubbard was an American lawyer, financier, founder and first president of the National Geographic Society, founder and first president of the Bell Telephone Company, and one of the founders of the journal Science. He was father-in-law to inventor Alexander Graham Bell.
Condition
In overall good antique condition. Merchandise will be packed and transported by the purchaser at their own risk and expense. A list of recommended shippers is on our website: https://www.conceptgallery.com/auctions/shipping/ .