In the midst of the myriad of soldiers, sailors, and politicians who
have been presented with silver through the past two centuries, we find
an arctic explorer being given similar recognition at the beginning of
this century. Rear Admiral Robert E. Peary was the first man to reach
the North Pole, and the United States National Museum has a collection
of silver presented to him in recognition of this achievement.
Peary became interested in arctic exploration as early as 1886 and
discovered he had an aptitude for its grueling demands on several minor
expeditions to Greenland and the arctic ice cap. In 1893 he became
determined to reach the North Pole, and he spent the next 15 years in
unsuccessful attempts to achieve his ambition. In 1908 Peary left on
another polar expedition; after a hazardous trip, he reached his goal on
April 6, 1909. His victory seemed a hollow one because of the claim of a
rival explorer that was finally proven spurious. In October a committee
of experts appointed by the National Geographic Society supported
Peary's claims, and in 1911 he was tendered the thanks of Congress.
Admiral Peary's work as an explorer had immense scientific value, as he
developed a highly efficient method of exploration which has continued
to be used advantageously.
Three loving cups and a replica of a ship in silver[28] that were
presented to Peary are in the collections of the United States National
Museum. Two of the cups were gifts to Peary from cities in his home
state of Maine. One loving cup (cat. 12186), 10 inches high, is marked
with the old English "T" of Tiffany & Company, "7072," and "5 pts." It
is inscribed:
To Commodore Robert Edwin Peary, U.S.N. in recognition of his
remarkable achievement in placing the flag of the United States at
the North Pole, April 6, 1909. Presented September 23, 1909 by the
City of Bangor, Me.
The other loving cup from Maine (cat. 12187) is 12 inches deep and bears
the Tiffany "T," "7056," "Sterling," and "5-1/2 pts." The inscription
reads:
Presented by the citizens of Portland, and South Portland, Maine,
To Commodore Robert Edwin Peary, U.S.N. September 23, 1909 in
recognition of his achievement in nailing the stars and stripes to
the North Pole.
The third loving cup (cat. 12188) is 18 inches high and is marked with
the lion, anchor, and "G" of the Gorham Silver Company and with
"Sterling," "332A," "7 pints," and "D. Kappa Epsilon." The inscription
reads:
Presented to Commodore Robert Edwin Peary, U.S.N. by the Delta
Kappa Epsilon Association of New York City, December 18, 1909.
In 1910 the Royal Scottish Geographic Society presented Admiral Peary
with a silver replica of a ship (fig. 1) of the type used by Henry
Hudson, John Davis, and William Baffin in their explorations for the
Northwest Passage. The replica, representing a ship under full sail, is
24 inches high and 20 inches long. The foresail bears a long inscription
in Latin likening Peary to other early arctic explorers. The marks
indicate the piece was made in Great Britain.
Also in the Museum's collection is a silver plaque[29] presented to
Peary by the Circumnavigator's Club in New York. It bears the mark of
Tiffany & Company and is inscribed:
Circumnavigator's Club Presented to the Immortal Navigator Peary
on the Occasion of his presence as guest of honor at our Annual
dinner held at Delmonico's New York City, the Eleventh of
December, 1913. Officers: President W. Tyre Stevens, 1st V. P.
Wilson D. Lyon, 2nd V. P. W. D. Oelbermann, Treasurer, F. C.
Schulze, Sec. F. W. Hilgar, Gov. E. H. Paterson, J. H. Burch Jr.,
George L. Carlisle, W. G. Paschoff, C. A. Haslett, William H.
Zinn.
The bottom edge of the plaque is engraved "Tiffany & Co. Makers" and
"18417 Sterling Silver."
[Illustration: Figure 16.--CUP PRESENTED TO the Honorable Brand Whitlock
by the British Government. Gift of Mrs. Brand Whitlock. In Division of
Political History. (Acc. 137815, cat. 40028; Smithsonian photo 45992-E.)]