C1890 Tiffany & Co. Football Flask – Story Revised 3/5/11

[CarltonHendricks]

http://sportsantiques.com/tiffanyfbflask1.htm
I came across evidence that makes it impossible the flask’s designer copied the Knapp print….I had to rewrite the ending of the original version to the extent it about doubled the size of the story….click link above and scroll down to where it says in red: “3/5/11 This story has been revised from the original version from this point on”

[steve B]

Looking here
http://www.925-1000.com/Tiffany_Date_Code.html

The 3252 design #puts the basic flask as designed pre 1875. I'm not sure if that includes the engraving or not. They also say the designs were ofen used for several years. Perhaps it was engraved a few years after its production?
It's a shame they want $1000 just to look up an order number.

Overend was an illustrator for the Illustrated London News, which I think had a US edition. An illustrated paper like that probably also had some international distribution. Plus the painting was shown at the Paris expo in 1889. I Think it's likely that Tiffanys silver dept director would have been at the same expo. Lots of ways the picture could have been seen. And also possible the painting was done after an earlier illustration.

Steve B

[CarltonHendricks]

Steve, I really appreciate your input thanks...About your assertion "Plus the painting was shown at the Paris expo in 1889."...that's pretty interesting...where did you get that? Thanks again -Carlton

Looking here
http://www.925-1000.com/Tiffany_Date_Code.html

The 3252 design #puts the basic flask as designed pre 1875. I'm not sure if that includes the engraving or not. They also say the designs were ofen used for several years. Perhaps it was engraved a few years after its production?
It's a shame they want $1000 just to look up an order number.

Overend was an illustrator for the Illustrated London News, which I think had a US edition. An illustrated paper like that probably also had some international distribution. Plus the painting was shown at the Paris expo in 1889. I Think it's likely that Tiffanys silver dept director would have been at the same expo. Lots of ways the picture could have been seen. And also possible the painting was done after an earlier illustration.

Steve B

[steve B]

I found that bit here. The game portrayed was apparently played march 13, 1886. It's hard to tell if the reaction to the painting was that impressive or if that's just typical late 1800's hype. The press back then wasn't typically objective in their coverage.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rugby_pioneers/5319001671/

His website at http://rugby-pioneers.blogs.com/rugby/ Has a lot of interesting stuff, it might be worth sending him a link. The connection seems pretty solid, and I don't think he knows about the US print.

I haven't found any info about where the original painting ended up.

I have a few of the illustrated london papers. Now I'll have to find them and go through them a bit more closely. There's even a baseball illustration to be found, and from the looks of it lots of rugby.

Steve B

[Vintage Basketball Pat]

Hi Carlton...

As you know I'm a vintage basketball collector, however I did come across your article on the flask the other day and really enjoyed it. I can appreciate the incredible find! That's what makes our hobby so fun!

I would wonder if the flask would have been purchased from Tiffany's, but then taken to an artist to add the engraving? Otherwise, you would expect that there would be more of them out there.

One of these days, your curiosity will get you to pay that $1000!

Best regards, Pat Vesper