George V Sterling Silver Cigarette Case — Provenance: Benjamin E. Robertson a highly visible figure in the financial and social architecture of the 1920s Jazz Age.

George V Sterling Silver Cigarette Case — Provenance: Benjamin E. Robertson a highly visible figure in the financial and social architecture of the 1920s Jazz Age.

$650.00
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George V Sterling Silver Cigarette Case — Provenance: Benjamin E. Robertson a highly visible figure in the financial and social architecture of the 1920s Jazz Age.
  • George V Sterling Silver Cigarette Case — Provenance: Benjamin E. Robertson a highly visible figure in the financial and social architecture of the 1920s Jazz Age.
  • George V Sterling Silver Cigarette Case — Provenance: Benjamin E. Robertson a highly visible figure in the financial and social architecture of the 1920s Jazz Age.
  • George V Sterling Silver Cigarette Case — Provenance: Benjamin E. Robertson a highly visible figure in the financial and social architecture of the 1920s Jazz Age.
  • George V Sterling Silver Cigarette Case — Provenance: Benjamin E. Robertson a highly visible figure in the financial and social architecture of the 1920s Jazz Age.
  • George V Sterling Silver Cigarette Case — Provenance: Benjamin E. Robertson a highly visible figure in the financial and social architecture of the 1920s Jazz Age.
  • George V Sterling Silver Cigarette Case — Provenance: Benjamin E. Robertson a highly visible figure in the financial and social architecture of the 1920s Jazz Age.
  • George V Sterling Silver Cigarette Case — Provenance: Benjamin E. Robertson a highly visible figure in the financial and social architecture of the 1920s Jazz Age.
  • George V Sterling Silver Cigarette Case — Provenance: Benjamin E. Robertson a highly visible figure in the financial and social architecture of the 1920s Jazz Age.
George V Sterling Silver Cigarette Case — Provenance: Benjamin E. Robertson a highly visible figure in the financial and social architecture of the 1920s Jazz Age.

George V Sterling Silver Cigarette Case — Provenance: Benjamin E. Robertson a highly visible figure in the financial and social architecture of the 1920s Jazz Age.

$650.00

Palm Beach / New York Provenance

A finely crafted English sterling silver cigarette case by John Dixon & Sons, hallmarked for Sheffield, 1921 (date letter “d”), during the reign of King George V. Executed in solid .925 silver and weighing 67 grams.

Maker: James Dixon & Sons (Sheffield, England)

Date: 1921 (Date Letter ‘d’)

Materials: .925 Sterling Silver

Design & Ornamentation

This exceptionally fine Art Deco-era case features a smooth, polished "bright-cut" finish. The front is masterfully hand-engraved with an interlaced "BER" monogram in a stylized, shaded block font. Directly above the initials sits a heraldic lion rampant crest mounted on a twisted torse (wreath), a traditional symbol of the Robertson family lineage.

Historical Provenance

The piece is attributed to Benjamin E. Robertson, a prominent figure of the New York and Palm Beach "social register" during the height of the Jazz Age.

  • Social Standing: Documented member of the Knickerbocker Club (NYC) and the Everglades Club (Palm Beach).
  • Documentation: Associated with the 1924 Palm Beach Social Directory, placing this case at the center of elite American society during the early 1920s.

Moyer Hall  (New York)

The most documented property directly owned by Hargraves Realty is Moyer Hall, a significant social and commercial hub located in New York. 

  • Social Significance: In the 1920s and early 30s, the building served as a premier venue for community life, hosting basketball games, public dances, and social gatherings.
  • The "Bootlegger" Controversy: The building became notorious in March 1930 when federal agents raided it and discovered an illegal alcohol still on the second floor.
  • Ownership Defense: During the investigation, Adolph Humpfner (a mysterious figure known as the "Count of Sharon Springs") famously denied personal ownership of the hall, claiming it was owned by the Hargraves Realty Holding Corporation of New York City. 

Additional Real Estate Context

Beyond Moyer Hall, Hargraves Realty managed a large-scale estate that included:

  • Rooming Houses: Numerous residential properties scattered across the Lower East Side and Lower West Side of Manhattan.
  • Commercial Infrastructure: Interest in a bank building and various other commercial halls throughout the New York suburbs and the Mohawk Valley.

This diversified portfolio allowed Benjamin E. Robertson to maintain the elite lifestyle reflected in his memberships at the Knickerbocker Club and the Everglades Club.

 

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