Mr. J. W. Richards presented this silver gavel to the Colorado Scientific Society in 1907 on the Society’s 25th Anniversary:
“With great pains Mr. Richards secured the solid piece of native silver which forms the body of the gavel. It came from one of the large mines of Aspen, Colorado, and is in one piece. This head weighs 6 ozs. Troy. With even greater labor he gathered from ores of silver the amount of 5 ozs. Troy with which he has made the handle. The total weight of the gavel is 11 ozs. Troy. ”
Presentation of the CSS Silver Gavel in 1907 (PDF)
Large images of the CSS Silver Gavel for closer inspection.
Lindsay Dougan of the Denver Museum of Nature and Science created this 3D model of the CSS Silver Gavel that you can view from all angles.
CSS Silver Gavel – 3D model by LGDougan (@LGDougan) [d50a92e]
Presentation of the Silver Gavel to the Society in 1907
Mr. President:
By the generous gift of Mr. J. W. Richards of the Colorado Scientific Society, this silver gavel becomes the property of this society, and I present it to the Society through you, sir, with the compliments of Mr. Richards. This is a peculiarly fitting occasion for such a gift, and the quarter century in the history of the Society will always be associated hereafter with this gavel and the thoughtfulness and generosity of the donor. With great pains Mr. Richards secured the solid piece of native silver which forms the body of the gavel. It came from one of the large mines of Aspen, Colorado, and is in one piece. This head weighs 6 ozs. Troy. With even greater labor he gathered from ores of silver the amount of 5 ozs. Troy with which he has made the handle. The total weight of the gavel is 11 ozs. Troy. It is the wish of the giver and of the Society, Mr. President, that this insignia of authority may be wielded by you at many future successful meetings of the Colorado Scientific Society. Permit me, on behalf of the Society, to now make you custodian of this gavel.
The President received the gavel and said:
I accept this beautiful gavel, the gift of Mr. Richards and present by you, on behalf of the Colorado Scientific Society.
It is of pure silver, from this great state: it was mined here; it was refined here; it was fashioned here. It is entirely a Colorado product. It is of pure silver, and is befitting the occasion of the silver anniversary of this Society.
May the decisions of the presiding officer of this Society, with this gavel in his hand as his symbol of authority, always ring as true and clear as does this silver gavel.
