Antiquarian Auctions

Auction #114 begins on 11 Apr 2024

[President Grover CLEVELAND]. - ‘Baby Ruth’ CLEVELAND (1891-1904).

Small American sterling silver Christening spoon embossed with fruit & foliage, the bowl embossed with ‘Marysville Cal[ifornia]’

From "Baby Virginia' of Marysville to 'Baby Ruth', the daughter of the Presdient Elect.

Published: [USA], [c.1887-1892?]

Lot closed

Sold for: Register or Sign In to find out

Bids: 1

Visits: 14

Have a similar item to sell? Contact Us with the details.

How it works

Register

[President Grover CLEVELAND]. - ‘Baby Ruth’ CLEVELAND (1891-1904).

Small American sterling silver Christening spoon (3 7/8 inches; 98mm. long), handle embossed with fruit and foliage, the bowl embossed with  ‘Marysville Cal[ifornia]’ within a slightly recessed irregular shape, the verso of the bowl engraved 'Compliments / of / Baby / Virginia / Wilcoxon / To /  Baby Ruth Cleveland / upon / the / successful / campaign / of Her Papa 1892'. Marked: ‘Sterling’, ‘Pat. 1887’ and a maker’s nark/monogram.

Provenance: Ruth Cleveland (1891-1904, eldest daughter of President Stephen Grover Cleveland and the First Lady Frances Folsom Cleveland); collection of  US President Grover Cleveland and his family; by descent (sold at auction in 2018).

The youngest lobbyist on record? The exact circumstances surrounding the gift of this Christening spoon to President Cleveland’s eldest child are not known, but the inscription on the bowl makes it clear that this gift from “Baby Virginia Wilcoxon” was politically motivated: “Compliments … to Baby Ruth … upon her father’s successful campaign … 1892”.Baby Virginia (on her parent’s behalf?) may have been seeking to influence Baby Ruth, assuming that she in turn would have some sway over her father’s decision-making ? Grover Cleveland took office for the second time in March 1893. For example, any resident of Marysville ‘the Gateway to the Gold Fields’ would probably have had a vested interest in the resolution of the contraversy raised by the Free Silver Movement?  

Ruth Cleveland “popularly known as Baby Ruth, was the eldest of five children born to United States President Grover Cleveland and First Lady Frances Cleveland. Her birth between Cleveland's two terms of office caused a national sensation. Interest in her continued even after her father's second presidential term was over. A sickly child, Ruth Cleveland contracted diphtheria on January 2, 1904. Doctors thought her case was mild, but she died five days after her diagnosis. She is buried in Princeton Cemetery.” (wikipedia).

  • Overall Condition: Excellent
  • Size: 3 7/8 inches; 98mm. long
  • Sold By: Shadowrock Rare Books
  • Contact Person: Adam Langlands
  • Country: United States
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Telephone: 001-860-248-1547
  • Preferred Payment Methods: Paypal, US$ checks and wire transfers, major credit cards through paypal
  • Trade Associations: AA Approved


© 2024 Paul Mills trading as AntiquarianAuctions.com. All rights reserved. Use of this website is regulated by our website Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.