collection of
presentation silver is no exception. The recognition of military prowess
by the presentation of silver objects was especially popular during this
century.

FOR SERVICE IN WAR OF 1812

Some handsome pieces of silver of the federal style were given for
service in the War of 1812. Historically the most important of these is
a mammoth punch set (fig. 4) presented to Colonel George Armistead by
the citizens of Baltimore in recognition of his services in the defense
of Fort McHenry against the British attack in 1814. The service includes
an oval silver tray with a handle on each end, the whole of which is
supported on six winged-claw feet. The tray is 29 inches long and 22
inches wide.

The ball-shaped punch bowl, 12-1/2 inches in diameter, is supported by
four eagles mounted on a round base. There is a loop handle of silver
rope on each side. The bowl is an exact copy in size and design of the
mortar bombs the British hurled at the fort. On one side of the bowl is
the following inscription:

Presented by a number of the citizens of Baltimore to Lieutenant
Colonel George Armistead for his gallant and successful defense of
Fort McHenry during the bombardment by a large British Force, on
the 12th and 13th September 1814 when upwards of 1500 shells were
thrown; 400 of which fell within the area of the Fort and some of
them of the diameter of this vase.

(Note the discrepancy in the dates of the inscription. The Battle of
Fort McHenry was fought on the 13th and 14th of September 1814.)

[Illustration: Figure 4.--PUNCH SET presented to Col. George Armistead by
the citizens of Baltimore in recognition of his services in the defense
of Fort McHenry against the British in 1814. Gift of Alexander Gordon,
Jr., great-grandson of the recipient. In Division of Political History.
(Acc. 6642, cats. 30914-17; Smithsonian photo P-64357.)]

On the other side is engraved a view of Fort McHenry and Baltimore
Harbor. The bowl is marked by Thomas Fletcher and Sidney Gardiner,
silversmiths who worked in Philadelphia from 1814 to 1838. In regard to
the excellence of the work of these silversmiths, there is an
interesting comment in a diary of Philip Hone that is owned by the
New-York Historical Society. On February 14, 1838, Hone wrote:

Fletcher and Co. are the artist who made the Clinton vases. Nobody
in this "world" of ours hereabouts can compete with them in their
kind of work.[4]

In the set are te