This engraved Sterling Silver tankard dates from the decade that followed the American Civil War or approximately 1870-79.

It measures 3.5 inches tall by 2.5 -2.75 inches in diameter (not including the handle), and about 4 inches from the handle to the front edge of the cup.

It weighs 189 grams or 6.08 troy ounces.

It is marked on the bottom of the cup:

ENG'STERLING 925-1000 which means(Engraved Sterling 925 parts out of 1000). It also has a couple of undecipherable hallmarks and the number 26.

This is a solid sterling silver tankard and guaranteed as such.

It is in excellent condition with a nice even finish and a subtle patina. It has a couple of extremely minor scrapes along the outside bottom edge where it appears to have been tested for silver purity during the last 130 years.

It is also engraved on the front: Tracey Lay Turner --September 1879 (surrounded by a delicate flowing engraving of wheat and or berries.)

Overall, this is a very clean and pristine example of 19th century American Silver with documentation that leads us all the way back to it's original owner.

Biographical Information:

Tracey lay Turner was a Stock broker and banker (among other things) who lived and worked in 19th century Chicago. The following information is an excerp from the Book Of Chicagoans (a sort of Who’s Who from the 19th-20th Century):

TURNER, Tracy lay, stock broker: born Chicago, Aug. 26, 1879*; son Edward H. and Ida B. (Foster) Turner; ed. private schools; married Chicago, Oct. 3, 1899, Claribel Countiss; 2 sons: Tracy L.,Jr. and Foster. Began in Marshall Field & Co.'s wholesale house, 1896, and later was with Whiteside & Wentworth, real estate; in 1897 entered employ of Chapln & Gaylord, stock and bond brokers, of which later became office mgr., and in Feb. 1901, a partner in the firm of S. B. Chapln & Co., bankers and brokers. Republican. Episcopalian. Clubs: Chicago Athletic, Union League, South Shore Country, Glen View, Kenwood Country, Tuscumbia. Recreations: golf, fishing and motoring. Residence: 1120 E. 48th St. Office: The Rookery.

.