An American Silver Tankard, Samuel Minott and William Simpkins, Boston, circa 1770

plain tapered cylindrical form with spreading molded foot rim, multi-stepped domed cover with gadroon finial, scroll thumbpiece, S-scroll handle applied with a baluster and ending in a convex oval shield, handle engraved S/SA

Dr. Solomon Smith and Ann Talcott, to thier son
Daniel Smith, to his son
Daniel Smith
Roland B. Hammond, sold
Ronald Bourgeault, Auctioneer, 5 November 19--, lot 774

tiny ding to side left of the handle, overall very 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.

The initials are those of Dr. Solomon Smith (1734-1786) and his wife Ann Talcott (1735-1784), Hartford, CT.

Dr. Solomon Smith (1734-1786) was likely the son of Samuel Smith (1734-1788/89) and his first wife Sarah Tracey (1710-1748) of Norwich, CT.  He married Ann (1735-1784), daughter of John Talcott and his wife Abigail Tibbals of Hartford, CT., about 1756.  Dr. Smith apprenticed under Dr. Daniel Lathrop, with whom he established Connecticut's first apothecary shop in 1757.  The shop was located on King Street (now Main Street) in Hartford.  A 11 July 1760 advertisement in the New London Summary proclaims:

"Just imported from London in the last ship, via New York, and to be sold by Lothrop & Smith, at thier store in King st. Hartford, CT. - A large and universal assortment of medicines, genuine and of the best kind; together with complete sets of Surgeon's Capital and Pocket instruments; very neat instruments for drawing teeth, metal mortars, smallscales and weights; all sorts of spice and choice Turkey figs; a variety of painter's colours and many other articles." (see: Frances Manwaring Caulkins, History of Norwich Connecticut, 1874, p. 327).

The partnership ended in 1770, and Dr. Smith continued on his own as a physician, apothecary and bookseller until his 1786 death.  In addition to selling books, Dr. Smith also collected medical texts and had a collection of 100 volumes.

The present lot was inherited by Dr.and Mrs Smith's first son Daniel (1761-1790), who married Sarah Bull (1765-1795) in 1785.  The couple's first two sons died in infancy and thus it descended to their third son Daniel Jr. (born after 1786).  Daniel Smith Sr. specified in his 1790 will " I do give and bequeath unto my beloved son Daniel Smith the silver Tankard which came to me from my father and in case he shall want hereafter to sell the same, my will is that he give the first offer and refusal of the purchase thereof to the descendants of of my so father."