A stunning antique circa 1905 black jack tankard handmade from leather, copper and sterling silver for Alfred Gwynn Vanderbilt’s private Pullman train car, Wayfarer. He was a major figure in the New York Central railroad line, the private car was used to travel between New York City and homes in Newport, the Adirondacks, and most famously the Vanderbilt family home in Asheville North Carolina, the Biltmore. Pullman built the Wayfarer in 1905 and Alfred Vanderbilt perished aboard the Lusitania in 1915, so this cup was only in use for about 10 years. What a wonderful and rare piece of railroad history!

This cup has a copper lining, with hand stitched black leather built over it and an applied sterling silver rim and cartouche on the front. The sterling silver is engraved “Wayfarer” with his initials AGV in the center. Made by Gorham.

In amazing condition for its age, no dents or damage to the copper body or sterling, just some very small marks and signs of polishing/use to the silver. The leather has no rips/tears, just a tiny bit of loose stitching at the top of the handle, there’s quite a bit of age to it but it still has a beautiful patina and glossy finish.

Measures approximately 9.5 inches tall.