Stock No. 2825	Silver flask by Sir John Betjeman's great grandfather
	Most attractive Victorian sterling silver flask made by the great grandfather of the poet, Sir John Betjeman. London 1888 by George Betjemann & Sons. The glass body of the flask is totally encased in silver. The silver on the lower part of the flask is plain and is fashioned into a cup with a flat base. The inside of the cup is silver gilt and the cup pulls off exposing the glass flask The upper part of the flask is beautifully made to simulate wicker-work. The hinged, plain lid is domed and opens and closes with a bayonet movement. The full hallmarks are stamped on one side of the plain cup and also on the neck of the flask. It is also probable that there are hallmarks stamped on the inside of the lid but these are hidden by the cork lining.
	Maker :- George Betjemann & Sons

Condition :-Extremely good with clear hallmarks. The maker's mark is readable but slightly rubbed
Hallmarked :- London 1888
Size :- 5.9 inches (14.99 cm) long x 2.8 inches (7.1 cm) wide
According to "The Directory of Gold and Silversmiths" by John Culme, George Betjemann started a small business in 1851. However, he 'became probably the largest maker of fancy goods in the world; invented the Tantalus spirit stand of which he sold many thousands and patented self-closing book slides and extending dressing cases.' In circa 1858, George Betjemann's two sons joined the firm and the name was changed to George Betjemann & Sons. In 1894, it was said that 'Betjemann's is one of the few firms possessing the necessary machinery for putting a log of wood in at one end of the factory and turning it out as a highly- finished dressing case at the other, every portion being manufactured by them'..

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