Marked to underside "B. B. Ld. / Sterling / (unidentified hallmark)," presentation inscription to front reading "Presented to / Lieutenant and Mrs. C. J. Whiting / by / The Ward Room Mess / U. S. S. Augusta / August 8, 1940," classic tapered cylindrical pail form with swing handle.

9 in. (to top of handle)

23.55 troy ozs.

USS Augusta was a Northampton-class heavy cruiser of the United States Navy, notable for service in the Atlantic and Mediterranean during World War II, and for her occasional use as a presidential flagship carrying both Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman under wartime conditions (including at the Newfoundland Conference). According to the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, she is named after Augusta, Georgia (rather than Augusta, Maine), and was sponsored by Miss Evelyn McDaniel of that city. In 1940, she plied the waters of the Phillippines and Northern China. C. J. Whiting was a lawyer on the Augusta. He then went on to command the USS Cowie, a destroyer in the Italian & North African theatre. After her service, she was sent back to New York and then became a mine sweep (see the next lot).

Very fine condition.

$800 - 1,200