Description
A historically significant fine ivory and tested solid gold toothpick, of the type owned by Charles Dickens. Sourced from the Gooderham estate of Gooderham and Worts fame, Toronto Canada Distillery. The handle of the toothpick is a hollow pillar of ivory. The solid gold toothpick is held within this, and extends and retracts by sliding a gold button on the side. Delicately engraved S. MORDANT & CO MAKERS / T. C. PALMER INVENTOR / and in script, the original owners name: T. G. Blackstock.
Blackstock was a prominent Toronto attorney said to be one of the best know members of the Ontario Bar. He bacame part of the Gooderham and Worts Distillery family when he married George Gooderham’s daughter Harriet Victoria Gooderham in 1880. He lived immediately north of the Gooderham mansion. T. G. Blackstock was a high profile Canadian throughout his distinguished career not only for his relationship with Gooderham and Worts, but also as the solicitor for the Bank of Toronto, manufacturer’s Life Insurance, the Central Ontario Railway, and numerous mining ventures that literally defined mining in Canada, as well as other businesses. Blackstock also assisted George Gooderham in the building of the King Edward Hotel. George Gooderham’s will placed the Gooderham and Worts Distillery in the hands of his four sons and T. G. Blackstock. A prolific and important Canadian figure.
2.24 inches retracted / 3.25 inches extended
