Antiques M.S. Rau | Elkington & Co. Silver Inkwell Of Henry Morton Stanley

This Exceptional Sterling Silver Inkwell Was Presented To Henry Morton Stanley, The Famed Welsh-American Journalist, Politician And Explorer, On The Occasion Of His Marriage To Dorothy Tennant. The Inkwell Was A Royal Gift From The Prince Of Wales, The Future King George V, And The Princess Of Wales. The Charming Inkstand Was Designed By Walter &Amp; John Barnard For The Royal Silversmiths Elkington &Amp; Co., And No Detail Was Spared In Its Creation. Each Inkwell Bears Stanley’S Monogram, While The Crest Of The Prince And Princess Adorns The Delicately Pierced Tray. The Inscription Reads, “To H. M. Stanley On The Occasion Of His Marriage / From The Prince &Amp; Princess Of Wales / July 12Th, 1880.”

Born In Wales, Henry Morton Stanley’S Lifetime Of Adventure Began At The Young Age Of 15 When He Crossed The Atlantic Aboard A Merchant Vessel And Jumped Ship In New Orleans. The Young Orphan Was Taken In By A Local Merchant Named Henry Morton Stanley, Whose Name He Took As His Own. Stanley Began A Career As A Journalist And Was Commissioned By The New York Herald To Go To Central Africa In Search Of The Famous Missionary David Livingstone In 1871 Who Had Gone Missing While On His Expedition. It Is Said Morton Uttered, “Dr. Livingstone, I Presume…” When The Journalist Finally Found Him On The Shore Of Lake Tanganyika On November 10 Of That Very Year. Stanley’S Discovery Of The Once-Lost Missionary Made Him Both A Hero And An International Celebrity. He Later Returned To Great Britain, Where He Was Knighted And Served As A Member Of Parliament From 1895 To 1900.

Known As One Of The Finest 19Th-Century Producers Of Electroplate Wares, Elkington &Amp; Co. Created Pieces Of Individual And Exceptional Design. Founded During The 1830S, The Firm Invented And Perfected The Art And Science Of Silver Plating, And They Were Awarded A Patent For This Revolutionary Technique In 1838. Soon After, They Began Receiving Commissions From The Most Esteemed Clientele And The Highest Honors At The International Exhibitions. The Firm Was The Supplier Of Flatware To The Luxury Dining Sections Of The Titanic And Enjoyed Years Of Royal Commissions From Queen Victoria, Edward Vii, George V, Edward Viii As Well As The Monarchs Of Spain And Italy.

Bears Hallmark Of Walter &Amp; John Barnard And Standard Mark
Stamped “Elkington &Amp; Co. Ltd / Silversmiths / 22 Regent St / London”

Circa 1880

Tray: 4″ High X 12 3/8″ Wide X 7 7/8″ Deep
Inkwells: 3 1/4″ High X 2 1/2″ Wide