New York dated 1836 by Colin Van Gelder Forbes and Son, retailed by Frederick Marquand
An early 19th century American coin silver presentation standing cup or goblet

Of campana form upon a domed foot with a incurved canted corner square base. Throughout with die-rolled anthemia rims, and a section to knop. Engraved to the side with a presentation inscription reading “First Six Oar’d Prize at the Second Annual Regatta of the Amateur Boat Club Association N.Y. awarded to the Wave Club 1836”, all within a flat chased foliate cartouche. The obverse with an engraved list of names reading “Abr ^m Knight Coxswain, George B Rollins, George A Rollins, Alexander Richard, William E. Mathews Jnr, William Stevenson, N. N. Halstead, Alexander S. Petrie, John T. Rollins”. Gilt interior. Marked underneath with MARQUAND & CO, FORBES & SON, eagle twice.

Height – 18.8 cm / 7.4 inches

Weight – 350 grams / 11.25 ozt

At this time in New York amateur rowing clubs were organized and met, then latterly were formed into “The Castle Garden Amateur Boat Club Association” at its regatta around Bedloe’s Island and back. The boat houses of the various clubs used to be around Castle Garden, the “Castle Garden boat clubs” were the Wave, the Gull and the Gazelle. The Wave came first where the two brothers Rollins, who were members, were considered the two best amateur oarsmen of the day. The Wave was considered the main boat of the fleet, but it changed its name every year.

The coxswain is probably Abram Knight (1813-1887) born Troy, Rensselaer County, New York, USA, son of Abraham Knight (1785-1851) and his wife Hannah Van Dyke (1789-1865). He married Mary Jane Winship (1827-1887) on the 22^nd March 1848.

Forbes and Son

Colin Van Gelder Forbes worked with his father, William Garret Forbes as a silversmith during 1800 and 1801. He partnered with John Lockwood in 1806 as Forbes and Lockwood. From 1808-1818 Colin Van Gelder Forbes worked as a silversmith and watchmaker at 72 Gold Street. He used the mark of C.V.G.F. He became a partner with his silversmith brother, John Wolfe Forbes in 1819 at 90 Broadway. They were listed as C. & J.W. Forbes and J.W. Forbes and Company with a star and two anchors. Marks included both "C. Forbes" and "C.V.G.F."

From 1826 to 1836 Colin Van Gelder Forbes was in a partnership with his son, William Forbes, a silversmith as Colin V.G. Forbes & Son. Colin Van Gelder, Jr. joined his father, Colin Van Gelder and brother, William Forbes in 1835 as a silversmith.

A pair of similar cups by William Forbes and this retailer circa 1830 with covers were sold Christie’s New York, 23 May 2006, lot 107 ($13,200 incl. prem)