Humidor

Object Name:

Humidor

Object ID:

2021.036

Date:

circa 1900

Description:

Humidor. Rectangular oak box with hinged lid, copper and porcelain lining, and cigar humidifier. Gilded brass handles and mounts. "OGH" engraved in cypher on plate on top of cover. Owned by Otis G. Hammond (1869-1944), NHHS Director.

Material:

Wood
Oak
Cedar
Metal
Brass
Copper
Porcelain

Dimensions:

H-4.75 W-11.1 D-8.25 inches

Provenance:

The humidor was purchased by the donors at the June 8-9, 1977, estate auction of Priscilla Hammond (1900-1977) in Concord, NH, conducted by Richard W. Withington, Inc. Priscilla Hammond was the daughter of Otis G. Hammond. The Society purchased 142 photographs, military medals, and household objects documenting three generations of the Hammond family at the auction.

Otis Grant Hammond (1869-1944) was born in Manchester, NH, the son of Isaac Ware Hammond and Martha A. W. Kimball. He was educated in the public schools of Concord and Trinity College, Hartford, CT. Upon the death of his father in 1890, Hammond continued his father's work as editor of the New Hampshire State Papers, serving until the appointment of Albert S. Batchelder and his appointment as assistant editor in 1891. Hammond enlisted in the New Hampshire National Guard, served during the Spanish-American War, and eventually rose to the rank of Major in 1917. In 1915 he was commissioned Major and Aide-de-camp on the staff of New Hampshire Governor Roland H. Spaulding. Hammond served as Assistant State Librarian from 1896 until 1913, when he was chosen as the first superintendent (later Director) of the New Hampshire Historical Society. Serving until just before his death in 1944, during 31 years of service Hammond oversaw the growth of the Society as the leading repository for manuscript, books, and objects documenting state history. He was also the author of more than two dozen books and articles exploring subjects in New Hampshire and United States history. From 1906 to 1923 he also served as President of the Concord Foundry and Machine Company.

Credit Line:

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. James L.Garvin

People:

Hammond, Otis G. (1869-1944)

Subjects:

Cigars