An American Silver Presentation Cup, Frederick Marquand & Co., New York, circa 1830-40

of campana form, the neck chased and engraved on both sides with scenes of a railway line being built in front of a State House, the and a train crossing a viaduct to a State house above oak leaf oval reserves engraved "In Gratitude to Dr. Gray" and "From my Children H.G.S. Jan 1st 1866, the handles formed as fully modeled eagles perched on leafy scrolls

Dr. John Franklin Gray, thence by descent to present owner

slightly wobbly, one side with dings to oak leaf reserve where engraved, decoration crisp, overall good condition
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

John Franklin Gray (1804-1881) is widely recognized as a medical reformer and amongst the first practitioners of homeopathy in United States.

Dr. Gray attended Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons before opening an office in Manhattan in 1826. He and his wife Elizabeth hosted a salon attracting artists and intellectuals of the day including William Cullen Bryant, John Greenleaf Whittier and Walt Whitman. Dr. Gray adopted homeopathy as major rule complementary to allopathic medicine and was the first to propose a national society of homeopathy. In 1834, he founded the New York Homeopathic Society. Its stated purpose was for the purpose of protecting, enriching and disseminating such of the propositions and testimonies of Homœopathia as upon mature trial they shall find to be sound and available.
His idea of a national society was realized in 1844 through the American Institute of Homeopathy of which he was a founding member.

A Marquand Pitcher chased with identical scenes was sold Sotheby's New York, Important 19th Century American Silver, Property of Masco Corporation, 20 January 1998, lot 69.