Lot # 7: Dated 1880 Silver Plate Double Ink Well w/Golfer

Starting Bid: $200.00

Bids: 8 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "Spring 2021",
which ran from 3/3/2021 12:00 PM to
3/20/2021 8:00 PM



This 7" x 10" silver plate double inkwell is beautifully engraved "Presented to the Rev. A.N. Blatchford, B.A., 7 April, 1880." The Reverend Ambrose N. Blatchford was a man who made friends and held responsible positions.  The auctioneer found that, in addition to his religious duties, the good Reverend was serving as a Governor of the Stokes Croft Endowed School in Bristol, England, in 1885. It's quite likely that he did that for many years.  

In 1899, Rev. Blatchford's book "Studies in Religion from Shakespeare" was published to positive reviews. The auctioneer found a copy from the Harvard library on Google Books.  The good reverend knew how to use his words and make a point.  He was a well spoken and educated man.

A review in the Morning Herald also commented on the good nature of the author:  "Mr. Blatchford is one of the ablest men in the Unitarian ministry.  He is an excellent speaker, a man of great culture, is of a most brotherly disposition, and unlike many of the so-called "broad" people, is a man of the utmost catholicity." 

The lids on both of the inkwells are in fine working condition.  The golfer is missing the end of his club, which was broken off at sometime during the past 141 years. The auctioneer believes that a reputable silversmith could recreate the missing piece and restore the club to its full length if the new owner so desired.

Golf artifacts made prior to 1890, before the game began its dramatic rise into the world, and is dated, is a great thing. The date sets a very specific point in time which the object can tell us about in significant detail. In the case of this ink well, both the clothing worn by the golfer and the form of his swing tell us what those things were like on April 7, 1880.

Views: 532