The Neptune Club

The Neptune Club was a yachting club in Norwalk, Connecticut, active primarily from the 1850s-1880s, which was comprised largely of wealthy businessmen from New York City and Connecticut. The Neptune Club was known for their annual summer excursion to Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard.

These cruises became particularly popular under the command of "the Commodore" Charles H. Tompkins, a prominent figure in the wholesale drug trade. Tompkins served as commanding officer of the Neptune Club for twenty-five years during which time he recorded the club's excursions in printed "log books".

The photo below shows the Neptune Club at their Oak Bluff's hotel on one of their summer cruises.

These items were offered as Lot 7 in our September 23rd Live Public Auction.

Photograph by Charles H. Shute & Son of Edgartown. New York Public Library