1880/90s Silver Plated Hamilton Torpedo Bottle Stand Start Price USD 45.00 Current Price USD 130.18 Time Left - Bid Count 7 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Saturday, November 29, 2008 End Time Tuesday, December 09, 2008 Location MAINE See more about '1880/90s Silver Plated Hamilton Torpedo Bottle Stand' Description This is a rare opportunity to acquire a c.1880/90s English Silver Plated 'Hamilton Stand', used on fine Victorian dining tables to serve carbonated mineral water and soda from the pointed bottom Torpedo or Hamilton bottle (as it is known in the UK where a Mr. Hamilton filed a mineral water patent).  The round and pointed bottom bottles were an early invention which during the 1790s rose in popularity due to Mr. Schweppes' hugely successful invention of artificially carbonated mineral water and soda.  One drawback of the new sodas was the tendency of the corks to pop out under the high pressure of the gas, and the Hamilton and similar bottles were designed so they had to lie on their side to keep the cork moist and the gas in the bottle.  This new problem created a weird & wonderful array of bottle and closure patents in the UK during the 1800s such as the 'Hamilton', the marble stoppered 'Codd', wooden 'bullet stopper', ceramic 'swing stopper' and others; until the screw top finally won.  This 4.5" high stand is a simple but beautiful tripod design with a 3.25" wide flared base for stability, a top ring at 3" and lower ring at 1.5" (all measurements approximate). There is no makers mark, just the initials E.P.N.S. for Electro Plate Nickel Silver, a very popular form of silver plating in Victorian England.  Condition is superb with all the parts still secure and I can find no wear to the plate, just some fine surface scuffs to the silver from normal wear and polishing as is usual with vintage silver and silver plate. PLEASE NOTE THIS AUCTION DOES NOT INCLUDE THE HAMILTON BOTTLE.  The Hamilton/Torpedo bottle shown in the picture is of the same period, and if you do not have your own Hamilton Bottle to display in the stand we are listing this bottle separately and can happily combine postage at cost.  Please view our Supersize photos, we will be happy to answer any questions to the best of our ability, and check out our feedback - we pride ourselves on our customer service and pack with extreme care.  We do not stop auctions early or use Buy It Now.  We have set a very conservative starting bid and have not wasted time with a hidden reserve, so happy bidding! Place a Bid!