AN AMERICAN SILVER PIPE LIGHTER, MYER MYERS, NEW YORK, 1750-1765

solid body, the legs with shell feet and headers, base engraved C over P * L.

Philip Livingston (1717-1778) and Christina Ten Broeck Livingston, to their grandson
Henry Alexander Livingston (1776-1849), by family descent until sold
Christie's New York, October 13, 1983, lot 60
Jonathan Trace, January 1989

Myer Myers 2001, no. 37

good, rare form, Livingston provenance and exhibited
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.

Philip Livingston has been described as the archtypal Colonial gentleman, who combined public service with a business career as a merchant.  The younger brother of Robert Livingston Jr., he graduated Yale in 1737, served as an alderman in New York City, a member then Speaker of the General Assembly, and signed the Declaration of Independence.  He married in 1740 Christina, the daughter of Dirck Ten Broek, Mayor of Albany, and of Margarita Cuyler; her brother Abraham was a brigadier general during the Revolution.  Portraits of the couple, attributed to Abraham Delanoy, are preserved at Clermont State Historic Site, and were shown in the 2001 Myer Myers Exhibition (nos. 129-130).