A set of twelve sterling silver and vitreous enamel cocktail picks featuring the full set of Royal Court cards for each suit in the deck. These exquisite picks were made by one of the finest silversmiths to ever work; Garrard & Co.. George Wickes founded Garrard in London in 1735, and although in recent years it has endured a difficult time, it has produced some of the finest silver works and jewellery the world has ever seen. In 1843, Queen Victoria appointed Garrard to the position of Crown Jewellers, leading to the production of numerous pieces of silverware and jewellery for the Royal Family, as well as the upkeep of the Crown Jewels. In 1852, Garrard were given the responsibility of re-cutting the famous Koh-i-Noor diamond into a brilliant. The company continued to handle some of the most famous jewels, such as the Cullinan diamonds (including Cullinan I, "The Great Star of Africa"), and created such pieces as the Imperial Crown of India in 1911, the crown of Queen Mary for her coronation, and the Crown of Queen Elizabeth in 1937. In 1848 Garrard produced what is now referred to as The America's Cup, and is the oldest international sporting trophy. The Cup is an ornate sterling silver bottomless ewer originally awarded in 1851 by the Royal Yacht Squadron for a yacht race around the Isle of Wight in England, which was won by the schooner America.
This set is presented in "new old stock" condition having quite possibly never having been used, and remains in its original leather covered wood. IThe enamel is bright, perfect and remain in a similar condition when they were originally produced in 1961. Each piece is fully stamped "Made in England" on the reverse, along with the Garrard makers mark and the full assay hallmark for Birmingham, England. There is quite possibly no better gift for the poker player that likes a cocktail while knowing when to hold them! This identical set was sold through our Prohibition sale with Sotheby's in 2020 brought nearly $19,000!