Mid-Century Sterling Silver Wine Goblet with Script Engraving
Hollowware (Wine Goblet / Presentation Cup) · Unknown American or European Silversmith; the form is consistent with mass-market mid-century manufacturers like Gorham, Reed & Barton, or Poole Silver Co.
Pattern: Plain Tapered Plainware / Trophy Form; non-specific utilitarian collection common to mid-20th century production.
Type
Hollowware (Wine Goblet / Presentation Cup)
Maker
Unknown American or European Silversmith; the form is consistent with mass-market mid-century manufacturers like Gorham, Reed & Barton, or Poole Silver Co.
Material
Likely Sterling Silver (.925) or high-quality Silver Plate on Nickel; visual tarnish patterns suggest solid sterling or Heavy Electroplate.
Dimensions
Estimated height 5-6 inches, rim diameter 2.5-3 inches. Estimated weight: 120-180 grams if solid sterling.
Description
A classic mid-century silver goblet featuring a tulip-shaped bowl and a minimalist aesthetic. The piece is distinguished by its personalized engraving, suggesting it was a commemorative gift among a group of friends or a cast gift related to the 1960s sitcom. Its reflective surface and balanced proportions make it a quintessential example of mid-to-late 20th-century presentation silver.
Key Features
Personalized 'F Troop' script engraving; double reed rim detail; characteristic 'soft' tarnish of aged silver.
Material & Composition
Likely Sterling Silver (.925) or high-quality Silver Plate on Nickel; visual tarnish patterns suggest solid sterling or Heavy Electroplate.
Finish & Decoration
Bright polish finish with a simple double-incised line near the rim. Features custom hand-engraved script reading 'Wendy From The "F" Troop'.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Not visible in photo; likely located on the underside of the base. Expected marks would include 'Sterling' or 'EPNS' and a manufacturer's pictorial mark.
Construction Details
Spun silver construction evident from the symmetrical cylindrical form; the bowl is attached to a stem and foot (not fully visible) via silver solder.
Functional Features
Tapered bowl designed for wine or water; wide rim for ease of drinking; smooth interior to prevent sediment buildup.
Handle & Grip Details
Stemmed design (stem and base partially obscured); intended to be held by the stem to prevent heat transfer from hand to liquid.
Craftsmanship Details
Machine-spun body with high-quality professional engraving. The transition between the bowl and stem indicates skilled industrial soldering.
Authentication Indicators
Engraving style is consistent with professional rotary or hand-graver work of the 1960s. Wear patterns suggest authentic age rather than modern reproduction.
Origin & Manufacturing
Likely United States; manufactured using industrial spinning and polishing techniques consistent with 20th-century silver factories.
Era & Period
Mid-Century Modern / Post-War Era (c. 1945-1975). Stylistic indicators include the clean lines and the 'F Troop' cultural reference.
Age Estimate
Circa 1965-1970; dating is primarily based on the engraving reference to the television show 'F Troop' which aired 1965-1967.
Cultural Significance
Represents the mid-century American tradition of gifting silver for personal milestones or group recognitions, moving silver from purely formal use to casual social gifting.
Condition Notes
Very Good. Displays moderate tarnish and surface 'fire scale' or oxidation. Minor surface scratches consistent with use; no major dents or rim deformations visible.
Value Estimate
$50 - $150 (If sterling silver); $15 - $30 (If silver plated). Value is driven primarily by melt weight and the novelty of the engraving.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a mild silver cream like Wright's. Avoid abrasive scrubbers. Store in a tarnish-resistant cloth bag (Pacific Silvercloth).
Similar Pieces
Gorham 'Strasbourg' goblets or Wallace 'Grand Baroque' goblets; however, this piece lacks the ornate repoussé of those patterns, leaning toward the 'Modernist' or 'Puritan' lines.
Interesting Facts
The 'F Troop' reference likely refers to the popular ABC sitcom (1965-1967) or a social group named in its honor, making this a piece of 'tv-interest' memorabilia.