Tennessee Agricultural Premium Coin Silver Julep Cup, stamped C. GUITEAU in rectangle for Calvin Guiteau, working Nashville, 1836-circa 1845. Tapered form with reeded edges and presentation inscription: PREMIUM AWARDED BY DAVIDSON COUNTY AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION 1851 TO W. WILLIAMS. 3 1/4" H. 4.94 oz troy. Note: This cup was likely awarded to Capt. Willoughby Williams Jr. (1798-1882) of Nashville, who served as Sheriff of Davidson County from 1830-1836 and later as President of the Bank of Tennessee. He married Nancy Nichols and they lived at her family's home Woodlawn (which still stands on Woodmont Boulevard in Nashville). It appears to have descended through their granddaughter, Nancy "Nanny" McNairy Clifton, who married Charles Hewitt Clifton, whose name appears on lot #84 (from the same estate). In 1836, silversmith Calvin Guiteau was elected secretary-treasurer at the first meeting of the Nashville association of watchmakers, silversmiths and jewelers. He is believed to have come to Tennessee from New York. Guiteau worked briefly in Nashville in a shop on Deaderick Street and then in a brief partnership with John Peabody on the Public Square before going back into business on his own by 1841. Two very similar agricultural premium beakers are in the collection of Belle Meade Mansion in Nashville. (Source: Dr. Benjamin H. Caldwell, TENNESSEE SILVERSMITHS, p. 100).

PROVENANCE: Acquired from the estate of Barbara Merritt Woodard of Overland Park, Kansas.

CONDITION: Overall very good condition. A few minor scattered pinpoint sized dents, and a 1/8" scratch with dent to sides, a shallow dent to foot ring.