New York--New York. Undated Thea-Nectar Tea (Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co). Bowers-NY-7928, Rulau-668. Gilt Brass. 38 mm. AU.<strong>Obv:</strong> Engraved portrait of Liberty, half right, lacquered. <strong>Rev:</strong> Inscription THEA-NECTAR / PURE CHINA TEA / TRADE MARK all on and within a large capital T embellished with Chinese characters and a cornucopia. PATD JUNE / 16 1868 in small letters to left and right. The paper engraving is nearly pristine but its lacquer coating has turned slightly brown and is finely crazed. The embossed reverse has some minor areas missing the original golden finish. This rare type was made by T.N. Hickcox & Co., and there are only three to five examples known per the 2014 Bowers reference.From the Q. David Bowers Collection. The plate card in the 2014 shell card reference by Q. David Bowers. Collector tag with attribution notation included.
