I recently came across an interesting jeweler's receipt that auctioned by Christie's last month.
onlineonly.christies.com
Per the description:
"The bill includes £9-1-6 for "one Gold Chane," 5 shillings for "Engraving Cypher on other Sides," as well as 9 pence for "velvet rebon." On the verso of the invoice, Washington added a docket for filing: "Rect Joseph Cook £9 7 3 10th Aug[SUP]t [/SUP]1787." Washington's pocket book of daily expenses from the Constitutional Convention records a payment to Joseph Cook a week later on 18 August: "By Cash pd … for gold Watch Chain } 9-7-3." (Papers, Confed. Ser., Philadelphia Cash Accounts, 5:176)"
What caught my attention was "Engraving Cypher on other Sides". I wonder what the cypher was? I don't see the chain photographed or mentioned with the recorded pocket watches owned by Washington:
www.hodinkee.com
He bought this watch chain on August 10th 1787. I know a year later on 28 November 1788 , he asked Gov. Morris to purchase a new watch for him on his trip to France.
founders.archives.gov
founders.archives.gov
I wonder if he used this chain with this last and final watch he owned? If you look at this next link, it appears to have a ribbon but no gold chain attached to his final watch:
www.bridgemanimages.com
In 2008, the National Watch and Clock Museum in Columbia, PA presented Time in Office: An Exhibit of Presidential Timepieces. The link to the publications seems to be flawed. Does anyone have any information from this exhibit?
pubs.nawcc.org
Noel Poirier seems to have been involved and had direct contact with one of Washington's watches:
mb.nawcc.org
I am really curious to know what the Cypher was that he had engraved. If anyone has any insight into where this watch chain is today, I would appreciate it.
As a side note:
In 1794, Washington's last remaining natural tooth was pulled by his Dentist, Dr. John Greenwood. With Washington's permission, Greenwood kept the tooth and had it put on his watch chain. You can see it in the link below:
untappedcities.com
Kind Regards,
Chris
Purchasing a gold watch chain with a "cypher"
WASHINGTON, George (1732-1799). Autograph endorsement, [Philadelphia,] 10 August 1787. Accomplished on the docket of COOK, Joseph. Autograph document signed ("Joseph Cook") Philadelphia, 10 August 1787.One page, 182 x 205mm (partial separation along toned vertical crease, moderately toned...
Per the description:
"The bill includes £9-1-6 for "one Gold Chane," 5 shillings for "Engraving Cypher on other Sides," as well as 9 pence for "velvet rebon." On the verso of the invoice, Washington added a docket for filing: "Rect Joseph Cook £9 7 3 10th Aug[SUP]t [/SUP]1787." Washington's pocket book of daily expenses from the Constitutional Convention records a payment to Joseph Cook a week later on 18 August: "By Cash pd … for gold Watch Chain } 9-7-3." (Papers, Confed. Ser., Philadelphia Cash Accounts, 5:176)"
What caught my attention was "Engraving Cypher on other Sides". I wonder what the cypher was? I don't see the chain photographed or mentioned with the recorded pocket watches owned by Washington:
Historical Perspectives: Your Complete Guide To The Watches Of United States Presidents (Updated Yet Again)
Settle in, this is a long one ...
www.hodinkee.com
He bought this watch chain on August 10th 1787. I know a year later on 28 November 1788 , he asked Gov. Morris to purchase a new watch for him on his trip to France.
Founders Online: From George Washington to Gouverneur Morris, 28 November 1788
From George Washington to Gouverneur Morris, 28 November 1788
Founders Online: To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 23 February 1789
To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 23 February 1789
I wonder if he used this chain with this last and final watch he owned? If you look at this next link, it appears to have a ribbon but no gold chain attached to his final watch:
George Washington Pocket Watch, c.1789 (gold & glass) by Lépine, Jean-Antoine (1720-1814)
Download stock image by Lépine - George Washington Pocket Watch, c.1789 (gold & glass) - Fine art stock images and historic photos from Bridgeman Imag
In 2008, the National Watch and Clock Museum in Columbia, PA presented Time in Office: An Exhibit of Presidential Timepieces. The link to the publications seems to be flawed. Does anyone have any information from this exhibit?
Presidential Watch Videos
Page with links to examinations of watches owned and used by presidents of the united states. Part of the National Watch & Clock Museum's Time in Office exhibit in 2008.
George Washington's Pocket Watch - Dial maker?
Good morning, This morning we removed the dial from one of George Washington's pocket watches currently on exhibit in order to see if there were any marks on the movement that would provide a hint as to the maker. Unfortunately there were none on the movement, however, the back of dial was...
mb.nawcc.org
I am really curious to know what the Cypher was that he had engraved. If anyone has any insight into where this watch chain is today, I would appreciate it.
As a side note:
In 1794, Washington's last remaining natural tooth was pulled by his Dentist, Dr. John Greenwood. With Washington's permission, Greenwood kept the tooth and had it put on his watch chain. You can see it in the link below:
See George Washington's Last Tooth and Denture at the NY Academy of Medicine - Untapped New York
For over eighty years George Washington's last tooth has been stored in a gold pocket watch charm at the NY Academy of Medicine Library where you can view it!
untappedcities.com
Kind Regards,
Chris
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