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Lot # 2107: 1891 Yale Match Safe by Tiffany

Category: Football

Starting Bid: $1,500.00

Bids: 1 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "December 2002",
which ran from 12/5/2002 12:00 AM to
12/31/2002 9:00 PM



Sure to be the diamond in any collector’s display, this sterling silver match safe commemorates the amazing Yale football team of 1891. Possibly made for William Walter “Pudge” Heffelfinger, the star of that 1891 Yale football team, College Football HOFer, and the first ever-professional player. He was well into his sixties before he retired. The 1891 Yale football team not only had an undefeated record, but they also did not get scored against in any game! Patina is darker on one side. Raised lettering on darker side reads “Football 1891” on top, “Yale 10, Harvard 0”, “Yale 19, Princeton 0”, “Yale 492, Opponents 0” on bottom. Lettering is classic art nouveau. The lighter side of patina is a monogram with either “FWW” or “HWW” as initials (style of the script makes it very difficult to tell). Art is an engraved seam and laces to a football. “Tiffany & Co.” engraved on the lip with the serial # starting with “T”, denoting late 19th century manufacture, and “Sterling”. The serial # will allow you to research Tiffany’s archive service to determine who commissioned the piece and when (for a charge of $500). Roman numerals, “XVII” engraved on inside part of hinge. Tiny 1/16” long split on tip of cover and a slight flat spot on top of cover (could be from being dropped). Small piece of yellowish metal attached to one side of the inside. Truly a museum quality piece and a great find for football, Tiffany, & art nouveau collectors alike.

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