Presentation Watches & Trophies

Lot 2645    Day 2    Presentation Watches & Trophies

Estimate $1,600
Bid at live.noble.com.au

PRESENTATION GENT'S HUNTER POCKET WATCH, in gold (10ct, tot wt 89.96g. 48mm), key wind (no key), works marked 'Am. Watch Co./Waltham. Mass.', white dial with black Roman numerals and gold hands (minute hand with bend), subsidiary seconds dial with black Arabic numerals and black hand, missing glass cover, plain case and inscribed ornately on lid are the initials 'TN', works cover inscribed 'Presented/To/Mr T.Nightingale/By A Few Friends In/Helensville/July 3rd/.1899.' Working order unknown, fine - very fine.

The following courtesy National Library of New Zealand - Papers Past, from the New Zealand Herald, 7 July 1899:-^^On Tuesday evening last, an oyster supper at Mr. R. L. Somers' Terminus Hotel, Helensville, was made the occasion for the residents farewelling Mr. Thomas Nightingale, the railway wharfinger and crane-driver, who has been ordered to Rangitikei by the railway authorities.^^Mr. Nightingale has resided in Helensville for the last 24 years, in fact, ever since the Kaipara railway came into existence. Mr. Charles Newman occupied the chair, and Mr. Cecil Cunkard was vice-chairman. After supper had been partaken of the chairman made a few well-chosen remarks regarding the esteem in which Mr. Thos. Nightingale was held in the district. He was followed by the vice-chairman and Mr. Martin, who both spoke eulogistically of the merits of the guest of the evening, and expressed the general regret that was felt by the community in having to part with him. Mr. Nightingale was then presented, by Mr. Wright, stationmaster, with a gold compass and square, on behalf of the district employees of the railway. The chairman, also, on behalf of the friends of Helensville, presented him with a gold watch, and the ladies of Helensville forwarded a handsome silver-mounted pipe as a parting token of their esteem. The guest thanked his many friends fervently for their valued expressions and substantial tokens of their kind feeling towards him, and expressed deep regret that under the exigencies of circumstances he was compelled by the call of duty, to leave the district where he had served so long. Music was then indulged in by the company, and a very pleasant evening passed. Mr. Nightingale left on Wednesday for the new sphere of his labours.