Ceremonial shovel used in making the first excavation for the subway on March 24, 1900

Sterling silver ceremonial shovel with shield-shaped blade, cast applied mounts of acorns and tree roots at throat, cast and applied oak leaves at juncture of blade and wood handle shaft continuing halfway up shaft and at juncture of handle shaft and grip. Handle grip made of oak taken from vessel used in Battle of Lake Erie, 1813, and handle shaft made of gum timber from tree planted by Alexander Hamilton in 1803. Inscription: On blade obverse: Silver Spade used by / The Hon. Robert A. Van Wyck / in making the first excavation for / The Underground Rapid Transit Road / at a Place in Front of the City Hall / on Saturday, March 24th 1900 at 2-30 P.M. / in connection with the inaugural ceremonies / attending the event. On blade reverse: Presented by / Councilman Eugene A. Wise / on behalf of / John B. McDonald / Contracto r/ and the Rapid Transit Subway Construction Company / President / August Belmont. / Vice President / Walter G. Oakman / Treasurer / William C. Emmet / Secretary / Frederick Evans / Directors: William H. Baldwin Jr. / Charles T. Barney / August Belmont / George Coppell / Edgar Mora Davison / Andrew Freedman / James Jourdan / Gardiner M. Lane / Walter G. Oakman / John Peirce / William A. Read / Cornelius Vanderbilt / George W. Young. On handle grip in silver plaque: Oak from the Flagship Lawrence Lake Erie 1813. On handle shaft in silver plaque: Gum tree from one of the 13 Hamilton trees / Manhattan Island / Planted 1803. Mark: Marked on reverse at tip of blade, chased in cartouche: TIFFANY & Co. / STERLING SILVER / MAKERS