Description

Kentucky State Agricultural Society Coin Silver Award Pitcher 

New York, NY, ca 1850, a coin silver presentation pitcher with chased and repoussé landscapes, tobacco plants, a cabin, figures smoking and handling tobacco, and a hogshead labeled "Tobacco", all framed by tobacco leaves around the body and foot, having the inscription Presented by the/ KY. State Agl. Society/ and Spratt Bourne & Co. at their/ Tobacco Exhibition/ May 25th, 1859, marked W. Adams / New York(w. 1842-1860); ht. 12.5 in., silver wt. 28.35ozt (882g)

Note: The Kentucky State Agricultural Society, chartered by the legislature in 1856, awarded cash premiums and silver cups, etc. for livestock, farm production, agricultural implements and machinery, as such "to arrouse a feeling of State pride" and to consistently showcase and improve the state's most productive industry - agriculture. There were several tobacco awards offered in 1859 by the society and by Spratt Bourne & Co., a company who leased a Louisville, Kentucky, tobacco warehouse for sellers. Since the award was never engraved, there is little chance of knowing for certain to whom it was presented, along with $100 premium contributed by the state. 

Provenance: Property of Caswell and Sara Lane