SIGNED CARTIER, CIRCA 1947

Details

A SILVER AND ENAMEL CIGAR BOX OF HISTORICAL INTEREST
Signed Cartier, circa 1947
Rectangular, the exterior applied with silver, copper and enamel insignia of the Army, Navy and Air Force, and engraved with facsimile signatures of World War II political and military leaders, including Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, George Patton and George C. Marshall, the front inscribed Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney, the interior fitted with three mahogany compartments, the interior cover engraved "For you my dearest husband, with whom I shared these memorable war years, because you often told me how deeply you admired these men, I have collected these mementos and designed this gift for your birthday. Motto. All my love Eleanor February 20th, 1947", marked on base, and signed P.C. Cartier, also with maker's mark of Andrew A. Taylor, with original leather presentation case stamped CARTIER
12¾in. long; 70oz. 10dwt. gross weight

Literature

Eleanor Searle Whitney, Invitation to Joy: A Personal Story, pp. 91-93.

Lot Essay

Eleanor Searle Whitney McCollum met her first husband, Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney (1899-1992), in New York, where she trained as an opera singer. While living in New York and later in wartime Washington D.C., Mr. and Mrs. Whitney maintained close relationships with the political and cultural leaders of the day, as attested by the signatories of this presentation box. For his war-time service, Whitney rose to the rank of colonel and was awarded the Legion of Merit. Whitney was also a pioneer of the aviation industry, co-founding Pan American Airways.

Mrs. Whitney was involved in numerous cultural and charitable activities, lending the Whitney name to many causes. She was also known as a leader of style and fashion, regularly appearing in various society publications. She married secondly the legendary Houston oilman, cattle breeder, banker and philanthropist, Leonard F. 'Mc' McCollum.

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