CIRCA 1875
Details
A RARE GOLD AND ENAMEL LOCKET OF HISTORIC INTEREST
Circa 1875
Oval, the center set on one side with a cast and chased tiger's mask growling enclosed in a enamel border with the inscription AMERICUS CLUB in reserve, the other side applied with the monogram WMT enclosed in an engine-turned geometric border, the hinged locket opening to reveal a colorized photograph of William M. Tweed on one side, the sides engraved with E.D. to W.M.T., suspended from a gold pendant, fitted in original velvet-lined case, apparently unmarked
1in. long
Circa 1875
Oval, the center set on one side with a cast and chased tiger's mask growling enclosed in a enamel border with the inscription AMERICUS CLUB in reserve, the other side applied with the monogram WMT enclosed in an engine-turned geometric border, the hinged locket opening to reveal a colorized photograph of William M. Tweed on one side, the sides engraved with E.D. to W.M.T., suspended from a gold pendant, fitted in original velvet-lined case, apparently unmarked
1in. long
Provenance
The monogram is that of William Marcy Tweed, head of the corrupt New York City Democratic Political Organization, Tammany Hall. Born in New York in 1823, Tweed began his career as a bookkeeper and soon after became a volunteer fireman, a move which served as a stepping stone to political power. In 1848, the young Tweed assisted in establishing a new engine company called Americus No. 6.
He soon gained influence in his ward and, after being promoted to alderman in 1851, was elected to Congress the following year. By the late 1850s, Tweed was the influential Democratic party leader in Tammany where he controlled party nominations and patronage. He eventually became State Senator in 1868 and director of the Erie Railroads. While in charge of New York City's finances, Tweed headed the infamous Tweed Ring consisting of Peter Sweeny, city chamberlain, Richard B. Connolly, city comptroller, and A. Oakey Hall, mayor. Together, they defrauded the city of an estimated $30,000,000 to $200,000,000 through padded and fictitious charges and tax favors.
Tweed was brought to trial after evidence of his corrupt dealings were discovered by M. J. O'Rourke, a new county bookkeeper, and published in the New York Times. Tried on charges of felony, Tweed only served one year of his twelve-year sentence. He was arrested again in Florida on a misdemeanor, but fled to Cuba and then on to Spain. He was extradited back to the United States in 1876 where he died in prison two years later.
The tiger's head became a symbol of Tweed's Tammany Hall. The initials "E.D" on the locket are possibly the initials of Edward A. Darwin or Eugene Durnin, who were both members of the Americus Club when "Boss" Tweed was club president. The club was located at Indian Harbor in Greenwich, Connecticut. Founded in 1849, the Americus Club was a sporting club established for aspiring or middle-class politicians and tradesmen. The popularity of the club rose and fell with Tweed's career. (See D.T. Lynch, "Boss" Tweed, 1927).
He soon gained influence in his ward and, after being promoted to alderman in 1851, was elected to Congress the following year. By the late 1850s, Tweed was the influential Democratic party leader in Tammany where he controlled party nominations and patronage. He eventually became State Senator in 1868 and director of the Erie Railroads. While in charge of New York City's finances, Tweed headed the infamous Tweed Ring consisting of Peter Sweeny, city chamberlain, Richard B. Connolly, city comptroller, and A. Oakey Hall, mayor. Together, they defrauded the city of an estimated $30,000,000 to $200,000,000 through padded and fictitious charges and tax favors.
Tweed was brought to trial after evidence of his corrupt dealings were discovered by M. J. O'Rourke, a new county bookkeeper, and published in the New York Times. Tried on charges of felony, Tweed only served one year of his twelve-year sentence. He was arrested again in Florida on a misdemeanor, but fled to Cuba and then on to Spain. He was extradited back to the United States in 1876 where he died in prison two years later.
The tiger's head became a symbol of Tweed's Tammany Hall. The initials "E.D" on the locket are possibly the initials of Edward A. Darwin or Eugene Durnin, who were both members of the Americus Club when "Boss" Tweed was club president. The club was located at Indian Harbor in Greenwich, Connecticut. Founded in 1849, the Americus Club was a sporting club established for aspiring or middle-class politicians and tradesmen. The popularity of the club rose and fell with Tweed's career. (See D.T. Lynch, "Boss" Tweed, 1927).