IMPORTANT GORHAM STERLING SILVER PRESENTATION FLASK OF HISTORICAL INTEREST.Gorham mark, 1888. Shaped form, one side with finely worked depiction of Batopilas, Mexico silver mine, reverse etched with portrait of Alex Shephard, inscribed "Alex Shepherd to Andrew C. Bradley 1888", the sides with applied cactus, screw cap lid inscribed "Batopilas" - 20 oz., 7 3/4 in. high. Estimate $15,000-20,000
HISTORY: This flask is one of fifteen known examples commissioned and presented by Alexander "Boss" Shepherd to colleagues and friends. Shepherd, a prominent and controversial figure in Washington, DC, civic life, was one of the most influential political bosses of the late 19th Century. He rose to power on the DC Board of Public Works and ultimately was appointed to the governorship by President Ulysses S. Grant. Shepherd was devoted to massive public works projects aimed at revitalizing the war-worn District. He succeeded in many of these endeavors, but led the city to bankruptcy in the process. His excesses led Congress to abolish his office in favor of direct rule. Congressional governance of the District would continue for a century. By 1876 Shepherd had declared personal bankruptcy and moved his family to Batopilas, Chihuahua, Mexico. He invested in a silver mine and amassed a considerable fortune. Shepherd returned to the District in 1887 to promote his mine and ordered Gorham to produce these flasks as promotional gifts. Of the fifteen flasks, five were given to Mexican government officials, and ten were given to Americans. Auction records indicate that this is the seventh flask to appear on the market. Four flasks are in museum collections. The present lot was given to Andrew C. Bradley, Shepherd''s brother-in-law and an important judge of the District Supreme Court.
PROVENANCE: Gifted to Andrew C. Bradley, 1888 then by descent through the Bradley family of Chevy Chase, MD, who originally owned all the property in the area of Bradley Boulevard and Lane and the Chevy Chase Club (the old Bradley Farm).
