Old Friends  
1611f   $ 225

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Marked "Patent 1866" and with two lions flanking an "S," for Philadelphia's George Sharp, and Bailey, for the Philadelphia retailer, this pair of tongs measure 5 3/4" long and weigh 1.4+ T. oz. The pattern is referred to as "Ball End," for which Sharp is strongly identified. The form, however, is unusual in that the screw-in ball is attached to a three dimensional, 1" diameter by 1/4" thick, disk. This whole assembly comes apart. This is engraved with a star motif on one side and has a borde... Click for details

North Hill Antiques  
106O   $125

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18thC-style oval-end handle, drop on bowl back, short reverse rib, brightcut bellflowers half-way down handle, feathered script mono C F C in cartouche on front. Length is 9-1/4". Condition is excellent throughout.

North Hill Antiques  
107D   Set of 12 $1500

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18thC-style pointed-end handles, drop on bowl back, short reverse rib, brightcut bellflowers extend half-way down handle, feathered script mono C L L in cartouche on front. Length is 6-3/4". Condition is mint -- probably never used.

North Hill Antiques  
105K   $150

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Pointed-end handle, drop on bowl back, reverse tipt, brightcutting and roulette work extending down handle, script mono Perry in cartouche on front; 9-1/8" in length. Condition is excellent.

Old Friends  
1608f   $ 60 spoon, $ 55 master butter, salt spoon

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Not formally named, the pattern on these three pieces is an "Oak and Acorn" motif that was produced by Boston's Farrington & Hunnewell. It dates c. 1865. It is an engaging, double die struck (meaning it appears on both sides of the handle) design, singular for its time, and considerably more detailed (and less common) than the common patterns of the period, such as "Olive" and its variants. It was produced over a period of time that straddled the switch from a coin to a sterling silver standa... Click for details

Bruce Cherner Antique Silver  
2139   P.O.R.

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Philadelphia circa 1790, a fine, large and massive piece, length 14 inches, length of bowl five inches, weight 6.87 Troy ounces, marked JA struck twice in cut cornered rectangle. There is a minor fill at the edge of the bowl (please see fifth photo) and some scratches on reverse, but excellent overall condition.

This spoon is not monogrammed and does not appear ever to have been, which is most unusual for early Amer... Click for details

Old Friends  
1602f   $ 70

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An early Wood & Hughes piece, dating circa 1855, this coin silver master butter knife is substantially sized at 7 3/4" long and weighing 1.1 T. oz. It is a singular design, having a twisted stem and a notched, shield shaped handle. It is similar in overall form to Gorham's little known "Imperial" pattern of the same period, and of which Wood & Hughes had an almost identical match. The upper edge of the blade has two notches that repeat the design of the handle. Otherwise having a plain surfa... Click for details

Bruce Cherner Antique Silver  
2136   $25.00

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Berlin circa 1845, length 4 3/4 inches, weight .73 oz. Troy, 12 Loth (.750) standard, excellent condition, monogrammed as shown.

Reasonably reliable Internet sources indicate that this firm was royal jeweler to Prince Friedrich of the Netherlands, and indeed the quality of this spoon is impressive.

North Hill Antiques  
694   Set of 10 $1150

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Forward-tipt fiddle handle, c1840 -- high sugarloaf shoulders, feathered script mono L C lightly engraved on reverse. Length is 8-1/4". Weight is a hefty 17.5 T oz. Some tinewear, otherwise condition is fine.

North Hill Antiques  
278   $73

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Marvellous wrigglework decoration extending length of handle accented by spotlights of brightcutting; ornate feathered script mono M B on front. Spoon has early sugarloaf shoulders. It is 8-5/8" long. Its condition is excellent -- near-mint.

North Hill Antiques  
698   $5,000

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Baird is listed is Hollan's "Virginia Silversmiths." He began his career as a silversmith in 1802 in Petersburg, VA; by 1806 he was plying his trade in Natchez, MS, and from 1813-38 he was working in Kentucky -- Paris, Washington and then Maysville. This piece has an 18thC-style pointed-end handle, and an interesting and unusual squared drop on the bowl back; the handle has a reverse rib. The mono on front is a shaded feathered script D P B. The ladle is 14-3/4" long and has a 3" round b... Click for details

Old Friends  
1573f   $ 85

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Documented as working in Frankford, Pennsylvania c. 1800-20, and subsequently in nearby Philadelphia, Isaac Reed was the maker of this 6 3/4" long, 1.1 T. oz., pair of coin silver tongs. In addition to having his personal mark, "I. Reed," imprinted on the inside of each arm, they carry what John McGrew describes in his work on pseudo hallmarks as the "Philadelphia eagle." The style suggests a date from early in his career. The have plain, convex, fiddle shaped arms, have a broad arch with poi... Click for details

North Hill Antiques  
342   $50

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Double-swell fiddle handles, flared shoulders, never engraved; 4-1/4" long. Condition is excellent.

North Hill Antiques  
105E   $150

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Pointed-end handle, incised pointed arch drop on back of bowl; feathered script mono W C M on front, later mono M.F.H. on reverse. Length is 9-3/8". Condition is excellent, extended bowl tip unworn.

North Hill Antiques  
105D   $375

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Pointed-end handle, brightcut bellflowers extending half-way down handle, incised pointed arch drop on bowl back, feathered script mono J C B in cartouche on front, later script 1793-1895 on reverse -- probably the longevity of JCB, a grand total of 102 years. Length of spoon is 8-3/4. Weight is nearly 2 T oz. Condition is near-mint throughout -- extended bowl tip unworn.

Bruce Cherner Antique Silver  
2134   $225.00

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round upturned end with full front midrib and thirteen-lobed shell drop, length 4 5/8 inches, engraved with initials "D N", weight .32 oz Troy, some annoying abrasions in bowl but very good overall condition.

Faithful readers of our little web page know we never tire of mentioning that Burt was a substantial and by all reports jovial fellow who weighed three hundred and eighty pounds.