Metals
Henry Will (Probable maker)
New York, New York, North America
1786-1811
Pewter
Cast
2016.0031.004
Object Number2016.0031.004 |
Measure (Liquid measure)
Metals
Museum purchase with funds drawn from the Centenary Fund and partial gift of David M. Kilroy and Melodee Wagen in memory of John Carl Thomas
Henry Will (Probable maker)
1735-1802
Son of John Will, Pewterer; brother of William and Philip.
Married Magdalena Haan in 1761 and became a freeman of New York City in 1765. He moved to Albany in 1775 or 1776. In 1783, Henry purchased property from John Townsend at 3 Water Street, New York (Laughlin, Pewter in America, vol.2, p.13-14).
For Henry Will's marks, see Carl Jacobs, Guide to American Pewter (1957), pp.176-180; C. Jordan Thorn, Handbook of American Silver and Pewter Marks (1949), section 2, p.284; Ebert, Collecting American Pewter (1973), p.144; and Montgomery, History of American Pewter (1973), p.228. See also J.B. Kerfoot, Ameican Pewter (1942), p.80 and Laughlin, Pewter in America (1981), vol.3, pp.101-103.
New York, New York, North America
1786-1811
1. Mark; Body, upper edge, left of handle; "A" stamped incuse or engraved
2. Inscription; Handle, exterior curve; "PS" incuse, inverted
Pewter
Cast
6.25 (H) , 5 (W)
15.875 (H) , 12.7 (W)
The body measures 5.0 inches to the upper edge.
This lidded vessel originally conformed to a precise capacity standard of liquid measurement for beer, cider, wine, milk and even medicinal beverages, depending upon its size. Commonly called a “measure” for its function, these might be made in pewter from a tiny 1.5 ounce size to a gallon or larger. Measures were vital tools for honest commercial exchange and pricing, although standards varied between countries, states, and even nearby regions until the early 1800s. This pint measure bears an “A” mark along the body’s upper edge indicating it was authorized for use by a sealer, an official keeper of standards, and matched the “assize” for its specific quantity.
[Article] Kilroy, David. 2014 "An Update on NewYork 'A' Measures". Pewter Collectors Club of America Bulletin. 15 (2 (Winter 2014))
• Published: Mark p. 5, (V4), Fig. 8, p. 17.
[Book] Fennimore, Donald L. 1996 Henry Will Account Book.
• For reference
[Book] Wolf, Melvyn. 2006 An American Pewter Collection: The Collection of Dr. Melvyn & Bette Wolf.
• For reference