Vintage Astor Hotel MUSCHENHEIM 12, Silver Solder Chocolate Pot, Teapot, Coffee

Description

You are purchasing a bit of New York City history.  This is a vintage, antique silver soldered Muschenheim Chocolate Pot.  I have also seen this style of pot referred to as a teapot or a coffee pot, but I believe it is correctly referred to as a chocolate pot.  It is in what I consider to be beautiful, untouched condition.  There is a dark patina, with a mottled, spotty look to the exterior.  There is also green tarnish, primarily around the base.  The hinge to the top is a little bent (not cracked or split), so the lid is a little loose and doesn't sit quite flush to the pot - although it is securely attached.  The wooden handle is tightly pinned around what appears to be a metal and brass collar.  The handle's wood is smooth from use, with some nicks and minor chips.  The entire piece is solid - no cracks or damage.
It stands about 8 1/4" tall, the base is 4 3/4" in diameter, and the handle sticks out 6 1/2".  It weighs just under 3 pounds.  The stamped markings that I have been able to identify under a loupe are the number "12", both under the lid and on the base, "36 OZ" on the base, the word "Silver" on the bottom, and the word "MUSCHENHEIM" on the bottom.  There are other markings on the base, but I am unable to identify them.  I have seen other Muschenheim items for sale on the Internet, but they are almost always silverware.  I have not been able to find any larger pieces, like this one.
It was obviously made by Muschenheim, and I believe it was from / used at the Astor Hotel in New York City.  Although not evident from any of the stampings, I believe that the floral emblem on the outside of the pot is the mark of the Astor Hotel.  The mark is worn, but it is clearly identifiable.  The Astor was opened in 1904, was closed in 1967, and was demolished in 1968.  Based on its appearance, design and function, I am guessing this piece is from the earlier years of the hotel's history.  It could likely be over 100 years old.
I rescued this piece from an estate sale.  Clearly the prior owner felt that the untouched appearance added to the beauty of the piece.  I have seen a couple of these in the past, but they have all been cleaned and polished.  I am hoping that the new owner also sees the beauty in the patina, and chooses to preserve and display it in its untouched, as-is condition.
Shipping is FREE, by Insured USPS Priority Mail with Signature Confirmation Required.
Muschenheim is a family name. The family ran the Hotel Astor as of the turn of the century.  One of the children born @1904 became a world famous architect.
It was hard to see details in your photos of the bottom (silver is really hard to photograph) but it looks to me that the top line is WALLACE which would be the Wallace Silver Company, 12 is probably the Wallace piece number, and 36 oz of course is the size of the pot.  Muschenheim would be the company name that Wallace made the pot for.
It is interesting that Hotel Astor pieces would be engraved for their owners / operators family name rather than "HOTEL ASTOR" but the flower logo all by itself on the side is obviously making up for that.
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