Thomas Hamlet, a retail goldsmith, was reputed to have been an illegitimate son of Sir Francis Dashwood, founder of the Hellfire Club. He established hiself in premises near Leicester Square about 1800, where he sold silver, jewelry and fishing tackle. Like his contemporary, Kensington Lewis, his speculations in real estate resulted in his ultimate ruin.

An identical cup by the same of 1826 was sold in these Rooms, April 16, 1985, lot 260.