Austin worked first in Boston and then in Hartford. After 250 years, this pair is still in near-mint condition. They have a short front rib, with startingly crisp 11-lobe shell drops on the bowl backs. Mono on reverse of handle in block letters: L over W.A. Length is 7-7/8". Bowl tips unworn, excellent condition throughout.
Long forward rib on handle front, c1765 -- molded drop on bowl back, shaded block mono D over R M on reverse; 8-3/16" in length. Condition is excellent, just a shade of tipwear, and two good crisp marks -- C (pellet) H. (See Gerstell for discussion of Hall's work.)
Ridged rattail extends 4/5 the length of the bowl back; shaded block mono K G on reverse; 7-1/4" in length. Aside from a bit of wear on the rattail, condition is excellent -- mark crisp, no discernable tipwear.
Deep and prominent front rib, c1765 -- large crisp 11-lobe shell drop on bowl back, block mono T over B + P on reverse; 5" long. Two or 3 teething marks in bowl, otherwise condition is excellent.
Short front rib, c1760 -- 7-lobe shell drop on bowl back, block mono A S on reverse of handle; 4-1/4" long. One or two teething marks in bowl, otherwise overall condition is excellent.
Rattail on reverse extends 2/3 of the length of bowl, shaded block mono H over R * E; 7-5/8" in length. Large bowl (2-5/8" x 1-3/4"), with just a touch of tipwear. Overall, the spoon is in excellent condition.
Ellis worked with his brother William. You can find him listed in Whisker and on the internet at American Silversmiths. The mark shown here -- E. Baily in script -- is heretofore unknown, at least to us. This pair of teaspoons have downturned fiddle handles with pointed shoulders. The mono is R B in a feathered script. Length is 5-5/8". Condition is near-mint, extended bowl tips unworn.
Oval-end handle, c1790 -- large drop on bowl back, reverse tipt, shaded block mono R over T M on front; 9" in length. Condition is mint. Each piece is struck twice with the Richardson I (pellet) R mark.
Short front rib, c1780 -- crisp 13-lobe shell drop on bowl back, block mono E * G on reverse; 8-5/8" in length. Mark is lightly struck and a bit rubbed, but all the letters are there -- S.BARRETT. Full bowl, with just a wisp of wear.
