A COLONIAL AMERICAN SILVER READING GLASS

MARK OF ABRAHAM G. FORBES, NEW YORK, CIRCA 1770

Details

A COLONIAL AMERICAN SILVER READING GLASS
MARK OF ABRAHAM G. FORBES, NEW YORK, CIRCA 1770
The circular convex glass within silver wire frame and with loop handle, marked twice on handle, Ford Inv. No. S-21, together with fabric pouch, possibly original
6 7/8 in. (17.5 cm.) long
4 oz. 6 dwt. (133.7 gr.) gross weight

Provenance

By repute, used by Gen. Pierre Van Cortlandt during the American Revolution.
With Ensko, New York.

Conditions of sale

Brought to you by

Nathalie Ferneau Head of Sale, Junior Specialist

nferneau@christies.com +1 (212) 636 2236

Lot Essay

Together with an envelope provided by Ensko, New York with the note Early American Silver Reading Glass made by Abraham G. Forbes of New York, 1768, and used by Gen. Pierre Van Cortlandt during the Revolution. Last owned by Baroness Von Graffenreid (Welles) a direct descendant.
General Pierre Van Cortlandt (1721 – 1814) was an American politician, who served as the first Lieutenant Governor of New York state. He married his second cousin, Joanna Livingston (1722 – 1808), granddaughter of Robert Livingston the Elder and his wife Alida Schuyler.

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