Replacements, LTD. Acquires Rare 157-Piece “Lap Over Edge” Sterling Set by Tiffany – Must See! Replacements, LTD. acquires a rare 157-Piece “Lap Over Edge” Sterling Set by Tiffany originally purchased in 1882 by Samuel Waters Allerton for his second wife, Agnes C. Thompson. Mr. Allerton was qui
News-Antique.com - Nov 30,-0001 - A recently acquired sterling flatware set by Tiffany & Co. in the “Lap Over Edge” pattern, has become the talk of Replacements, Ltd.’s visitors and staff. The local TV station is even coming out to do a segment on this set! This stunning set (which is available for purchase) is currently on display in our Showroom. It was originally purchased in 1882 by Samuel Waters Allerton for his second wife, Agnes C. Thompson. Mr. Allerton was quite wealthy and made his fortune in real estate, banking, and other commercial enterprises. His first wife was Pamilla Thompson Allerton and she bore him one son, Robert Henry Allerton. Tragically, in 1880, Pamilla Allerton passed away. Two years later, Mr. Allerton married Pamilla’s younger sister, Agnes. As a gift for his new wife, he purchased this amazing sterling flatware set and requested that an intricate “ACA” monogram be engraved on each piece. (The Allerton’s lived happily on Prairie Avenue, which at the time was the most fashionable neighborhood in Chicago. The Allerton’s neighbors included the Marshall Fields, the Pullmans, the Kimballs, and the Armours, among others.) This “Lap Over Edge” set was inherited by William Deishton, who then willed it to the family housekeeper, Hadie. The set was eventually sold to another party, who then contacted us regarding our interest in the set. We consider it an honor to have a complete set of “Lap Over Edge” in outstanding condition, as the pattern and pieces are quite rare.
“Lap Over Edge” was created by the famous designer Charles Grosjean, who did many patterns for Tiffany & Co. The popular pattern was quickly patented and introduced by Tiffany in 1880. The pattern has since earned a reputation as being one of Tiffany’s most innovative designs. Each piece begins as a sterling blank to which hand-crafted motifs and designs are added. The result is a diverse collection of artistic elements that come together to form the whole of the set. “Lap Over Edge” is a beautifully understated pattern produced for the refined collector of sterling silver, one who looks to own art versus merely a sterling set. The pattern’s simplicity enabled much creativity in the form of a wide variety of hand-imparted etchings, chasings, and monograms. As mentioned above, each piece in this set also bears a graceful “ACA” monogram. Another unique feature of this set is the great number of specialized piece types. This set contains service for 12 and includes luncheon forks, caviar knives, ice cream forks, fish knives, dessert knives, and oyster forks. Serving pieces in this set include the vegetable spoon, gravy ladle, master butter knife, cheese scoop, carving set, salad serving set, sugar tongs, asparagus tongs, waffle server, pie fork, ice cream fork, ice cream slicer, oyster ladle, and berry-casserole spoon! To put the value of this set in context, in 1987 Christie’s Auction House of London sold a 147-piece “Lap Over Edge” service for 12 for $99,000.00. Replacements, Ltd. currently offers this 157-piece service for 12 for $99,999.00, an
