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Very rare circa 1900 tankardstein with the Harvard University crest on one side and the other side showingthe famous Harvard character John the Orangeman and his donkey Radcliffe. John the Orangeman whose real name was John Lovett(c.1829 to 1906) was an Irish immigrant to Boston who was famous on the Harvardcampus from 1870s to 1906 of being the only vendor allowed in Harvard Yard tosell goods to students. He primarily soldfruit but it was rumored he also supplied the student body alcohol at a timewhen Cambridge starting in the 1880s outlawed the sale and licensing of alcoholic beverages making him an instant best friend of the students to smuggle in spirits. He peddled his wares from a cart with an H oneach side and drawn by his donkey Radcliffe, named after Radcliffe College inCambridge. Popular among students fordecades he became a mascot of the University and was frequently at football rallies, games, sportingevents, campus activities, parades, etc.You can find images of him, his cart and donkey depicted in 19thcentury and early 20th century postcards, posters, pennants, etc of Harvard.An oft-told story has a groupof visitors touring Harvard’s campus and pausing at a gateway entrance. Johnwas there peddling with his basket of fruit. Seeing the Harvard motto “Veritas”(Truth) inscribed over the gateway, one of the visitors, thinking he would havea bit of fun at John’s expense, turned to him and asked if he knew what“Veritas” meant. “I’m not quite sure,” John said, “but I think it means ‘Tohell with Yale.’”
Overall this tankard is inexcellent condition with just normal handling wear and aging of being 125 yearsold but no chips or cracks to ceramic parts. Metal lid still works perfectly with no signs of damage.Graphics on piece arestill great.
John the Orangeman memorabiliais desirable among Harvard collectors and this tankard is only the second one Ihave ever seen in the past 30 years.
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