Antique Silver Graduated Albert Pocket Watch Chain with a “Reading Town Cup” Fob by William Hair Haseler & Tiny Bone Elephant Charm

Here on offer is an unusual and interesting pocket watch accessory set.

It consists of an antique English hallmarked solid silver graduated Albert pocket watch chain with a silver “Reading Town Cup” fob and a tiny carved bone elephant charm.

The graduated Albert chain shows the true sign of quality, as each individual link is stamped with the Lion Passant.

The T-Bar and spring clasp are both hallmarked and maker marked.

The hallmarks show the Lion Passant for English sterling silver (925) and the date letter “m” for the year 1911.

The maker mark is “H.P.”, which I think relates to the English Silversmith Henry Pope of Birmingham.

The circular silver fob is set on one side with red enamel and the words, READING TOWN CUP, surrounding the old coat of arms for Reading.
There is a tiny crack in the enamel near the letter R, but it all inplace.

I can’t find a direct reference to what the Reading Town Cup actually refers too, but I imagine it is football related?

Reading F.C. is one of the oldest football clubs in the UK. Established back in 1871, I assume this fob was given as an award around the early 1920’s as the hallmark dates it to 1923.

The back of the fob is also stamped with the English silver hallmarks, the Lion Passant for English silver (925), an anchor for the assay office of Birmingham and the date letter “y” for the year 1923.

There are also the maker’s marks “WHH” for the world famous English silversmiths, William Hair Haseler.

William Hair Haseler was a silversmith that is undoubtedly associated with Liberty & Co. W. H. Haseler & Co. was founded in 1870, producing gold, silver, and jewellery. In 1898, W.H.Haseler and Liberty went into partnership, with Haseler producing most of Liberty’s silverware from their Birmingham workshop. They launched the silver line of Liberty ‘Cymric’ and the pewter counterpart ‘Tudric’ under a new company name of Liberty & Co and produced works designed by Archibald Knox.
In 1901, Haseler sold most of their plant and premises in return for £200 worth of shares in Liberty & Co. Hinks (1983) argued that this was an astute move by the firm, as it “enabled them to pursue own work and mark and market some Liberty designs as their own.” The partnership between the firms continued until 1926, producing some of the finest early 20th century silver Britain has to offer.
Pieces by W.H. Haseler are highly collectable and sought-after by collectors of all things Liberty and Knox.

Finally this set has a tiny hand carved bone elephant charm attached to the fob ring.

The carving is quite basic and it is clearly very old as it shows a lovely patina finish to the bone colour and rubbing to the edges.

The chain and fob are in excellent condition

The long chain measures 9.75” (24.7cm) long and the shorter chain including the fob is 3.75” (9.5cm) long, both including the T-bar.

The fob is about 1” (2.5cm) wide.

It weighs 35g.

Please see my pictures for the details of the condition, which complement this description.

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The responsibility lies with the customer to check with your Customs restrictions that this item can be imported into your country.

Thank you for taking the time to look.

Code: 50822