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 SMP Silver Salon Forums
 American Sterling Silver
 Metcalfe Company, New York Yacht Club Trophy
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| Author | Topic: Metcalfe Company, New York Yacht Club Trophy |
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valker@ unregistered |
posted 11-29-2000 09:37 PM
 
I have a silver fruit basket, engraved with date 1908 - it was trophy won by my grandfather in a New York Yacht Club sailboat race. It says "Metcalfe Company, New York". I haven't been able to find out anything about Metcalfe Co. I wonder if the basket has a value other sentimental? Thanks. IP: Logged |
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Brent Posts: 1507 |
posted 11-29-2000 10:04 PM
Your trophy almost certainly has value, possibly quite a lot. The New York Yacht Club didn't skimp on trophies in 1908. Unless the race was extrememly minor, your trophy is likely sterling. Although I have not heard of the Metcalfe Company, they may well have been just the jeweler who supplied the trophy, rather than the actual manufacturer. Please make a careful examination of the base AND handle of the basket, and record any marks you can find. Then write back and tell us everything you have found. I would be surprised if the Metcalfe mark was the only one on your piece. Good Luck! We look forward to hearing from you again! IP: Logged |
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valker@fgcu.e unregistered |
posted 12-04-2000 06:27 PM
I looked the basket over very carefully and this is what is says on the bottom. Metcalf Company, New York, Sterling, 14 I couldn't find any other identifying marks. Also - the engraving on the inside is 1910 - not 1908 as I previoulsy indicated. It says "New York Yacht Club - The Cruise - First Prize - Alera - August 8, 1910". It's a lovely basket - full size and very ornate. Thanks for your interest and any information you are able to send my way. IP: Logged |
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Brent Posts: 1507 |
posted 12-05-2000 04:30 PM
Well, you should now be convinced that your trophy has more than sentimental value. In the absence of other information, I would maintain that the Metcalf Company was probably a jeweler, rather than a manufacturer. It would be unusual to find an important piece with no trademark, but not unheard of. For example, Currier & Roby was a New York maker of fine reproduction silver that did not always carry their trademark. I have a sterling bowling trophy of theirs from 1928, sans trademark. Regardless, your trophy has value. Consult a professional specialist silver appraiser for a formal appraisal. The home page has an appraiser-finder if you would like to find one in your area. IP: Logged |
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bascall Posts: 1629 |
posted 04-05-2008 12:02 PM
It's not much, but Metcalf Co is at 5 E 35th in 1915 New York City Directory under silversmiths and not jewelers and etc. Of course, they may not have wanted to pay for the additional listings under any other heading. IP: Logged |
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jersey Posts: 1203 |
posted 04-05-2008 01:38 PM
Hello! Perhaps if you contacted the New york Yacht club they could fill you in as to details. I believe they keep all their records. Your Grandfather's name would certainly help in tracking it. I think the Alera was a sloop. Good luck in your search. Keep us posted if possible. Jersey IP: Logged |
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seaduck Posts: 350 |
posted 04-05-2008 04:25 PM
Interesting that it's a fruit basket! This would certainly have value beyond its sentimental value to you or even its value as a work of silver, because of the historical associations with Alera. Alera was hull #1 of a design commissioned by the NYYC in 1905 from Nathaniel Herreshoff. The boats were called NY30s (30' waterline, but about 43' overall). Alera was found a few years ago, largely forgotten, and restored by a yard in Boothbay, Maine, where I think she still lives. Even nonsailors might have heard of Alera recently -- she was an involved in an incident last summer including Amorita (another NY30) and Sumurun, another classic yacht (maybe 100' or so?). Sumurun apparently hit Alera's transom, then collided with Amarita, which sank. I would guess the NYYC would have great interest in this piece and would be happy to help you with research. They have an extensive trophy collection and there is a lot of sentiment around the NY30s. IP: Logged |
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bascall Posts: 1629 |
posted 04-05-2008 07:34 PM
It is definitely not my intention to mislead anyone, but please bear in mind that my belated reply to this topic is merely an attempt to add a little documentation to the subject of the Metcalf Company. Unless somebody knows differently, it doesn't appear that the originator of this thread is a current member. It has been my practice and presumably the practice of others also to look back at old postings and respond in any way possible. In the future, there will be a comment included in these types of replies to indicate that this is an old thread. Please forgive my error in not doing so up to now. IP: Logged |
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jersey Posts: 1203 |
posted 04-05-2008 08:48 PM
Bascall! Right on! I hadn't noticed either, except I was curious about the unregistered member part. My brain simply went past the date. What I did find as well, is that there was a Campbell Metcalf silver company in Providence R.I., that would make some sense as the race was out of Newport. Perhaps they had another in NYC. This race I think was the beginning I think of the America's cup, very prestigious indeed! Gorham made a Trophy for this that is to die for! Jersey IP: Logged |
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bascall Posts: 1629 |
posted 04-05-2008 10:13 PM
Jersey, It appears Campbell-Metcalf went out of business in 1890. IP: Logged |
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jersey Posts: 1203 |
posted 04-05-2008 10:59 PM
Hello bascall! Thanks & I Agree, but I thought they were bought out by someone else.......could not have they continued the mark? I don't know. Another mystery. Anyway, either way, as an FYI I would love to see the trophy. Too bad the person asking is not around any longer to answer us. Where are our sailors on the forum? Enjoy the day! Jersey IP: Logged |
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bascall Posts: 1629 |
posted 06-30-2011 02:02 PM
A long overdue correction: "Rainwater shows Campbell, Metcalf going into business in 1892 and being declared insolvent in 1898 (JC & HR 6-8-1898). This fits well with the Providence, Rhode Island Business Directory entries for the company. IP: Logged |
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