25th Jan, 2022 10:00
Design - Two Day Sale
252
A silver-plated 'Rocket' cocktail shaker
A silver-plated 'Rocket' cocktail shaker,
designed by J A Henkels, Solingen, comprising: five beakers, a flask with a screw cap, a citrus squeezer and base, a funnel, which detaches, the shaft fitted with a corkscrew, fitting into the rocket-shaped body, with nose cone and fin base, engraved 'To Dear Old 'Chet' from Washington Hangar Quiet Birdmen 1941', variously stamped '22' and 'Germany',
30.5cm high
‘The Quiet Birdmen’
The Quiet Birdmen are a secretive aviators' club in the United States. It was founded by World War One pilots and later, outside of New York where the first meetings had taken place, other Quiet Birdmen regional groups, or hangars, were formed.
Harold Hersey, the editor of 'Aces High' magazine, ironically called the group 'The Quiet Birdmen' because they were so boisterous, and this became their adopted name. In the 1920s, membership cost one dollar and lasted until death. The emblem of the club was a blue shield with the letters 'QB' in silver, the shield flanked by silver wings. Only male aviators were allowed to join, not female aviators or ‘Keewees’ (non-flyers).
Depending on its location, current QB regular activities generally reflect the age of its members. Apparently, meetings are started with a silent toast to deceased members, with glasses raised to the west in keeping with an old pilot's expression, euphemistically referring to death as having ‘Gone West’.
Take advantage of our Sworders Delivery Service. Please see 'Shipping estimate' below.
Sold for £1,400
Condition Report
All items fit in the body, four cups to the nose cone and measure and single beaker in the fin section. Four beakers and measure stamped 'Germany'. Some wear to the gilt interior.
One back fin slightly bent.
Good overall condition. Largest beaker 5.5cm high. 9cm diameter approx.
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Auction: Design - Two Day Sale, 25th Jan, 2022
Viewing
VIEWING BY APPOINTMENT
We will be offering viewing by appointment only, to be held at our Stansted Auction Rooms, Cambridge Road, Stansted Mountfitchet CM24 8GE.. Thirty minute time slots will be available from:
Fri 21 Jan, 9am - 5pm
Sat 22 Jan, 10am - 2pm
Sun 23 Jan, 10am - 2pm
Mon 24 Jan, 9am - 5pm
All lots are, however, extensively illustrated and carry detailed condition reports - see 'Condition report' at the foot of each lot description.
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