Sterling Silver Stationery Box by Black Starr & Frost

Description

This Sterling Silver Stationery Box by Black Starr & Frost, dating to circa 1890, is of large rectangular form, finished in mauve leather and raised on a plinth base. The front is mounted with an elaborate sterling silver panel in the Rococo style, decorated with scrolling foliage, birds and multiple cherubs surrounding a central engraved initial plaque.

The lower section of the silver mount incorporates a flower-shaped escutcheon and is stamped Black Starr & Frost to the left, with Sterling 1754 and an eagle hallmark to the right.

Opening the box reveals a fully lined and partitioned stationery interior in red watered silk paper, retaining some of its original contents including stamps and a small letter dated 1937 from Washington, D.C.

The box was originally owned by Margaret Lynde Dent-Campbell, niece of Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th President of the United States, and has descended through the family before being purchased directly from the current owner.

View the full Writing Box collection.

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Literature 

Mark Goodger 25th Anniversary Catalogue p.48

Provenance

Margaret Lynde Dent-Campbell (known as Margaret/Madge/Maggie to family) (1854–1921), thence by descent. Margaret Dent was the daughter of Brigadier General (originally appointed by Abraham Lincoln) Frederick Tracy Dent (1820-1892) and Helen Louise Lynde (1836-1922); Julia Boggs Dent, Margaret’s aunt, was married to Ulysses S. Grant, the two having been introduced when Grant and her brother were roommates at West Point.

A career officer, Frederick Tracy Dent served with distinction in the southern campaign during the Mexican-American war and then saw 16 years of frontier duty and was active in the Yakima War of 1855-1858. During the Civil War Dent was aide-de-camp to his brother-in-law, General Grant, and later served as a military secretary (1869-1873) to Ulysses S. Grant during his presidency. Margaret Lynde Dent-Campbell was therefore President Grants niece by marriage.

The Frost Starr & Black Stationery Box and the George Betjemann & Tiffany Writing Box were both owned by Margaret Lynde Dent-Campbell with the latter engraved Maggie L Dent. An ebony and gold mounted walking stick bearing the same monogram measuring 94cm long is also available for sale, please enquire for further details. Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885) was the 18th president of the United States, who served from 1869 to 1877.

Who were Black Starr & Frost?

Black Starr & Frost originated in New York as Marquand & Co., founded by silversmith Isaac Marquand in the late 18th century. The business was continued by his son Frederick and became one of New York’s leading jewellers and silversmiths during the 19th century, producing and retailing a wide range of silverware.

In 1838 the firm passed to former apprentices William Black and Henry Ball, later becoming Black, Ball & Co., then Ball, Tompkins & Black and, from 1851, Ball, Black & Co. The company adopted the name Black, Starr & Frost in 1876 following the introduction of Cortland Starr and Aaron Frost as partners.It later merged with Gorham Manufacturing Company in 1929 as Black, Starr & Frost-Gorham, before reverting to the Black, Starr & Frost name in 1960.

For further information see our Makers and Retailers profile on Black Starr & Frost.

What is the American Eagle Hallmark?

was used by Black Starr & Frost to certify their products. They were the first firm to use the American Eagle as its logo in the USA and clients knew the firm was “at the sign of the golden eagle.”

What is the Gilded Age?

The Gilded Age was a period in the United States spanning roughly the 1870s to the late 1890s, between the Reconstruction and Progressive eras. The term was later taken from Mark Twain’s 1873 novel The Gilded Age and came to describe a period of rapid economic expansion alongside political corruption and conspicuous wealth.

Industrial growth was particularly strong in the Northern and Western states, attracting millions of European immigrants and contributing to rising wages and an expanding workforce. At the same time, the period was marked by severe inequality, with immense private fortunes existing alongside widespread poverty, particularly in the South.

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Why Buy from Mark Goodger Antiques?

With over thirty five years of specialist experience, Mark Goodger Antiques is recognised internationally as a leading authority in antique boxes and related works of art. Every item offered has been personally selected by Mark, whose knowledge and judgement are trusted by collectors, institutions, museums, interior designers, and fellow dealers worldwide.

Every purchase is supplied with a full supporting package for clarity and reassurance. This includes a Certificate of Authenticity, a detailed condition and care guide specific to your item, our most recent catalogue, and a separate invoice suitable for insurance and valuation purposes. Each piece is carefully examined prior to sale to ensure accuracy of description and quality.

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When you buy from Mark Goodger Antiques, you are purchasing from a specialist family business built on knowledge, trust, and an unrivalled focus on antique boxes.

Additional information

Dimensions	31.5 × 14.5 × 22 cm
Country	United States
Period	19th Century
Year	Circa 1870
Medium	Leather, Silver, Sterling Silver
Literature	Mark Goodger 25th Anniversary Catalogue
SKU	501350-XRCE