FS: Rare 1890s Trophy. Asking $1000
Silver-plated trophy cup presented to a member of the "Anti Knocking Club" of New York, circa 1890s. The ornately designed cup features an engraving of a baseball player in a throwing pose (wearing a period pillbox cap) on the reverse. The front engraving reads "Presented to Lavin Werk by the Anti Knocking Club of Rensselaer NY." Manufactured by the Meriden Britannia Company, as noted by its trademark on the underside of the base. (The Meriden Britannia Company became part of the International Silver Company in 1898; thereby allowing for the circa 1890s dating.) Nineteenth-century baseball trophies, even those awarded to amateur players and clubs, are very scarce, making this both a desirable and decorative piece dating from the game's early history. The trophy cup (11 inches high; 4.5 inches base diameter) is heavily tarnished, but is free of any significant dents or scratches, which are quite common to similar pieces from this era.
