This items belonged to William V. Tascher, early Colorado pioneer and businessman. He came to Colorado in the early 1870s and prospected from 1875-1880. He spent most of his career as a traveling salesman for Daniels Fisher & Co., Drygoods in Denver. As a salesman he traveled to the Colorado mining towns for orders and organized and led pack trains to the towns with merchandise from Denver. The Hampden Watch Company watch has a 14 karat gold case, gold chain and monogrammed fob. The watch has "T" engraved on the cover surrounded by floral engraving and the back has the same engraving and what appears to be a cardinal in the center. The back of the watch is engraved "M J Tascher". The inside of the back of the case is marked "WARRANTED/14K/US. ASSAY" over "92063". The inside of the watch back is marked "14K" over "92063". The inside of the case and watch back are both marked with a watchmakers marking indicating repair or tuneup. The watch appears to be at least 8 jewel. The movement serial number is "629258". It should be noted that there is a letter dated June 2, 2003, (included with the lot) that was sent to the consignor by a member of the Tascher family that the watch and chain had been recently appraised by Arnold's Fine Jewelry of Pasadena, California and at that time was valued at $3,000.00. The price of gold has gone up considerably since then and would probably be more in the range of $5,000.00 today. The watch comes with a suede pouch. Also in this lot is a 18K gold size 8 wedding band,

The watch is very fine with some minor handling marks and wear, and functions well. The ring is is very good showing some handling marks and wear.