- 2 Frassetto Way - Lincoln Park, NJ 07035
The Peter Benchley Collection: Jaws, A Life of Writing, A Legacy of Stories
Lot 64:
Description
A Queen Victoria South Africa 1900 commemorative gift tin, originally commissioned as a New Year’s gift for British troops serving in the Second Boer War. The lithographed tinplate lid features an embossed profile portrait of the Queen in a circular medallion, flanked by the Royal Cypher VRI and a crown, and the inscription South Africa 1900. A facsimile of the Queen’s handwriting reads I wish you a happy New Year, Victoria RI. The lot includes a WWII-era anti-dimming cloth tin printed with instructions for use on eyepieces, a brass two-part suppository mold with a knurled thumb screw, and several mid-20th-century pharmaceutical ephemera items. The ephemera consists of a paper wrapper for Profex A Tube Prophylactic manufactured by McKesson & Robbins, a Vulkan Sanex prophylactic packet with German text, and a Cello’s Latex prophylactic sleeve manufactured by The Killian Mfg. Co. Box: 3 1/4" x 6 1/4". Mold: 3 3/8" x 1".
From the personal collection of Peter Benchley (American, 1940–2006), acclaimed author of Jaws, accomplished diver, and prominent advocate for ocean and shark conservation.
Condition report:
The Queen Victoria tin shows significant lithography loss, scratches, and surface oxidation, particularly along the edges and on the underside. The anti-dimming tin has a visible dent on the upper right corner and surface oxidation. The brass pharmaceutical mold displays a heavy dark patina and minor surface dings throughout. The paper ephemera exhibits age-toning, creasing, and minor tears consistent with age.
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