Miscellaneous

Lot 1980    SESSION 7 (9.30AM WEDNESDAY 10TH APRIL)    Miscellaneous

Estimate $200
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $140

GENTLEMAN'S STERLING SILVER FULL HUNTER POCKET WATCH, case by JW, hallmarked for London 1876, white enamelled dial with black Roman numerals, minute hand missing and dial glass missing, with subsidiary seconds dial with Arabic numerals, hand missing, key wind with key attached, works cover inscribed, 'Presented/To/Mr. T.Walsh/By the Tributors of the/New Kohinoor G.M. Coy/As a mark of esteem/And in recognition of service/rendered to the Party/Ballaarat/July 1878'. Fine.

Mr Thomas Walsh was the secretary of the New Kohinoor G.M. Coy (New Koh-I-Noor Tribute Company).
A tributor was a miner who was paid a percentage of the value of whatever ore he mined.
The following report was published in The Ballarat Courier on Wednesday 3 July 1878, page 2.
Messrs Walsh and Duffy, contractors connected with the New Koh-i-Noor Tribute Company, were each on Monday night, at 0'Connor's hotel, presented with a silver watch and gold chain, which had been purchased from Mr J. T. Sleep, by their brother tributors. The presentation was made, on behalf of the donors, by Mr Kinane, who also presented the following address to each of the recipients:- " Dear sir, - We, the tributors of the New Koh-i-Noor Company, desire to take advantage of the opportunity to present you with a token of our regard and good wishes, hoping yon may long enjoy the presentation which you so entirely merit. In view of the high consideration and regard in which you are held by your brother tributors, we beg your acceptance of a small token of our esteem, which only inadequately expresses our sense of your public character and private worth." The signatures of the tributors were appended to the address. Messrs Walsh and Duffy replied, thanking the donors for their very handsome present, expressing "great pleasure that their efforts to promote the mutual interest of the tributors had been so heartily appreciated. After the toasting customary upon such occasions, and some pieces of music had been song by several young ladies who were present, the company broke up with expressions of mutual good-will.