A cigarette case, 1919

Of rectangular form with hammered finish throughout, engraved with the Green family crest on the outside corner, opening to reveal a hinged tongue and engraved "Ashbel Green" to in inside, width 11.1cm, fitted case by Riley, Wood & Pyms Inc. 2 West 47th Street, New York, embossed "A.G. August 10, 1919"

From the Private Collection of a prominent American Family.

Ashbel Green III (1869-1954), a graduate of Yale University, was a specialist in securities for the New York Stock Exchange in the early 20th century. Following a successful carer during WWI as an officer in US Naval Intelligence, he eventually became the 9th Secretary of the Exchange in 1928. He was the great grandson of Rev. Ashbel Green (1762-1848) who was President of Princeton University in the early 1800s. Shortly before his retirement, he bought his great-great grandfather Jacob Green's home in Hanover, New Jersey which he restored it as his own home.

This cigarette case was likely a 50th birthday present.