J. Pierpont Morgan’s poker chips, yacht Corsair china, cigar cutter and port glasses, are part of a historic auction on May 1st, 2011 in Boston MA at Boston Harbor Auctions

JP Morgan Corsair, Flagship china. New York Yacht Club burgee and Commodore flag. (Photo: Business Wire)

BOSTON--()--Morgan’s steam yacht “Corsair” is where these items originated. The “Corsair” became the Flagship for the New York Yacht Club in 1897, in concurrence with the election of JP Morgan as Commodore. Onboard “Corsair”, the icon of American finance and his world renowned guests ate from these two hundred pieces of this Flagship china, his cigars were cut with the sterling silver Tiffany cigar cutter, his cognac was sipped from the crystal stemware and bets were made with these poker chips. It was on Corsair that J P Morgan coined the phrase “if you have to ask you can’t afford it”.

The Flagship China:

The Mintons china is remarkable. It consists of many different pieces for an opulent culinary experience. In addition to dinner and salad plates there are fabulous oyster platters, asparagus dishes, consomme and soup bowls, crescent shaped salad plates and a fabulous tea pot. Also, almond shaped fruit plates, fish plates, water pitchers, egg cups, etc.... All pieces have a gold and blue border and are hand painted with the New York Yacht Club burgee on crossed gold flagstaffs with either the Morgan house flag displaying a crescent moon and star or the Club Commodore flag showing a blue field with white anchor surrounded by stars. The pieces are further emblazoned with blue ribbons decorated in gold with “Corsair” or “Flagship”. The china will be sold in individual lots as well as some sets of two, four or six.

Cognac and Cigars:

Consider bidding on J Pierpont Morgan’s Tiffany cigar cutter from “Corsair” with it’s crescent moon and star, then acquire any of the eight custom crystal stem port glasses by Dorflinger & Co. The box of Corsair’s poker chips by Black Starr and Frost are fitted in a fine mahogany velvet lined box with cloisonne NYYC burgee and Morgan house flag, other items from Corsair include a silver bowl, a linen table cloth, two brass ship’s clocks and a sterling silver sugar castor by Tiffany.

Furnishings:

Of special interest is a remarkable custom lamp that integrates the crescent moon and star that is part of the design of the Morgan house flag, finished with a sea serpent and dolphin motif. Attributed to Tiffany with an estimate of 25,000 - 30,000.

Also from Corsair is a linen tablecloth with New York Yacht Club burgee and the Morgan house flag.

View an entire on-line catalog, arrange absentee or online bidding and find more information at www.bostonharborauctions.com

For further information contact Larry Lannan at 617 549 2881 or Larry@Lannangallery.com

Peter Coccoluto MA Lic # 2428

In addition to the JP Morgan “Corsair” items, the auction will feature 150 lots of rare maritime antiques, ship models, paintings, game tables, globes and gentlemanly decor.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6612916&lang=en

Contacts

Boston Harbor Auctions
Larry Lannan, 617-549-2881
Larry@Lannangallery.com

Release Summary

Valuable collection of American history from the Gilded Age to be sold at auction; 200+ pieces china plus poker chips, port glasses, cigar cutter and more from J. Pierpont Morgan's yacht "Corsair".

Contacts

Boston Harbor Auctions
Larry Lannan, 617-549-2881
Larry@Lannangallery.com