Jacob Schiff and the YMHA: An American Silver Three-handled Presentation Cup of Judaic interest, circa 1900

the ovoid body with waved rim and three foliate-wrapped handles terminating at the domed foot in large pierced scrolling leaves, etched with presentation inscription and rendering of the YMHA guilding, stamped STERLING on base and numbered 3154

Jacob H. Schiff (1847-1920)
Victor Niederhoffer, sold Sotheby's, New York, Symbols of Excellence: The Victor Niederhoffer Collection of Trophy and Presentation Silver, 15 December 1998, lot 64.

apparenly unmarked with maker's mark, some overall wear, otherwise good condition.
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The presentation inscription reads: "Presented to JACOB H. SCHIFF by the Board of Directors of The Young Men's Hebrew Association. New York/ May 6th, 1900" "In Grateful Acknowledgment and to Commemorate his Generous Gift to the Association of its Home at 92nd Street and Lexington Avenue."

Jacob Henry (Hirsch) Schiff was born in Frankfurt-on-Main, Germany on 10 January 1847 to a distinguished rabbinical family.  Educated in Germany, Schiff emigrated to the United States in 1865, where he began a career as a banker in New York City.  On 6 May 1875 he married Theresa Loeb, the daughter of Solomon Loeb, head of the banking firm Kuhn, Loeb and Company.  Schiff joined his father-in-law's firm and quickly moved through the ranks and was named head of the firm in 1885.  Devoted to Jewish philanthropic causes, Schiff used his resources and connections to help establish the Jewish Division of the New York Public Library, the American Jewish Committee, the Hebrew Union College and the Jewish Theological Seminary.  In addition to Judaic philanthropies, Schiff also contributed funds to American causes such as the Boy Scouts of America, the American Red Cross, and the Tuskegee Institute, as well as financing the 1897 reorganization of the bankrupt Union Pacific Railroad.

Schiff's most famed financial action occurred in 1904-1905 during the Russo-Japanese War.  Through Kuhn, Loeb and Company, Schiff extended $200 million in loans to Japan, which enabled Japan to win the war.  He was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun of Japan by Emperor Meiji, and became the first foreigner to receive the esteemed honor.  During World War I Schiff issued loans to European nations for humanitarian purposes.  Fearing for the lives of both Germans and Americans, he used his influence to urge President Woodrow Wilson to end the war as quickly as possible, even without an Allied victory.  Schiff died of illness on 25 September 1920 in New York City.

The present lot was given to Jacob Schiff at the dedication of the YMHA building on 30 May 1900.  Schiff had provided funding in excess of $230,000 for the construction and furnishing of the new building.   As reported in the 1 June 1900 issue of The American Hebrew:

"A touching scene was enacted in one of the reception rooms later in the afternoon.  Mr. and Mrs. Schiff were called in, and on behalf of the Board of Directors Mr. Menken presented Mr. Schiff with a beautiful loving cup.  It had been their wish, he said, to tender it upon the date engraven upon the cup (his silver wedding).  As he forbade it, however, they presented it at this time in token of the day's event as well.  Mr. Schiff was exceedingly affected by the incident.  "Love, love, love," said he, "love everywhere.  And what shall we do with all these loving cups?"  As he had said to his wife a few days ago, we will put them away for our children.  Let them read and take to heart the messages of love that they bear; let them learn how we may beget love.  Indeed, it was not the Association, but it was he that was to be thankful for what had occurred that day."

When the 1900 building was replaced by a newer structure in 1929, Mrs. Jacob H. Schiff was invited to lay the cornerstone in honor of her late husband's generosity and vision for the institution.