Seventh Regiment National Guard, New York: An American Silver Punch Bowl, Tiffany & Co., New York, circa 1895

the circular bowl chased with spiraling lobes and fluted below a slightly everted rim pierced, cast and engraved with scrolls enclosing flowerheads, supported on a domed circular base chased to match and raised on four paw feet headed by scrolling acanthus, the bowl engraved on one side with floral script monogram FGL, the other side engraved with the badge of the Seventh Regiment National Guard, New York, gilt interior

The engraved monogram is that of Francis Griswold Landon (1859-1947) of New York City.  In 1908 Landon was elected Major of the 7th Regiment N.Y. National Guard.

Francis Griswold Landon, to his daughter
Eleanor Landon Parker, thence by descent

minor scratches to interior, overall very good condition
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Francis Griswold Landon was born in New York City to Charles G. Landon, a dry-goods importer, and his wife Susan Hunt Gordon Landon.  He was educated at Anthon's Grammer School in New York, and Williston Seminary in Easthampton, MA.  In 1881 he graduated from Princeton University, where he was a member of the Graduate Council.

On 20 May 1897 he married Mary Horner Toel, daughter of William Toel and Adelaide Horner Taber Toel of New York.  The couple lived at 29 Broadway in New York City and at their country estate "Mansewood" in Staatsburg-on-Hudson, NY., located next to the Roosevelt estate at Hyde Park.  When Theodore Roosevelt, who referred to Landon as "Uncle Frank" asked if he should go into politics, Landon counseled the future President that, no, he should not.

Aside from attending to his family's private business interests, Landon did not have a profession.  He was however kept very busy with numerous personal interests and social organizations.  A biography of Landon published in Select Organizations in the United States, notes that "He is an amateur actor of no ability, and a skillfull rider.  He is a member of the Calumet, Racquet, New York Yacht and Country clubs." (p. 131).  Landon was also a member of the American Geographical Society, the Union Club, the University Club, the Princeton Club, and the Westchester Country Club.

Despite his memberships in many of New York's most prestigious organization, the affiliation that Landon seemed to be most proud of was his work with the 7th Regiment, N.Y. National Guard, based in the famous 7th Regiment Armory on Park Avenue on Manhattan's Upper East Side.  In 1882 Landon joined the 7th Regiment  as a Private, and was elected a Corporal two years later.  He became an Adjutant in 1891, a Captain in 1895 and Major in 1908.