Sterling silver gilt washed presentation bowl in the form of a sailor's sewing ditty with anchor decoration suspended from a chain tie with everted scalloped rim by George C. Shreve & Co, active 1852-present, San Francisco. Presentation reads, "Presented to Cap't. J.C. Hunter of the Ship George W. Elder, by his passengers on the voyage to Alaska between the dates below, as a memento of the trip and as a testament of their regard, July 17 - Aug. 3, 1888". George C. Shreve and Company of San Francisco explored the making of artistic as well as functional silver. It was a wise choice. The innovative design of this presentation piece  is a good example. It was presented to Capt. J.C. Hunter of the ship George W. Elder by his grateful passengers on a voyage to Alaska between July 17 and August 3, 1888. The ship was a hardy steamer, often repaired. that survived this perilous trip. Grateful passengers had Shreve create an original artistic form, a sailor's ditty (sewing) bag with an attached anchor. 

Sources:   Alaska.  The John W. Elder Arrives with One Hundred and Thirty Passengers at Sitka, Baranoff Island, Alaska.  July 18, 1888/

Daily Alta California

Marks: STERLING / SAN FRANCISCO / bee mark / GEO.C.SHREVE & CO  (bee mark was in use 1883-1894)

Dimensions: 11" diam x 4"h

Weight: 32 ozt 8 dwt

Shipping: Processing and shipping within the continental U.S. $40.00 plus 1.5% replacement cost insurance. We combine shipping to reduce cost. Please note we do not accept credit cards.

Morse, Edgar, Silver in the Golden State, 1986, Pg. 96-97, Silver Magazine, "Silver in the Golden State", September-October 1986, illustrated Pg. 21. Brad and Brian Witherell, California's Best, Schiffer Publishing, 1999, illustrated Pg. 77.

Good with minor surface scratches and two pinpoint dents in base

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