Vase-shaped body with domed lid, applied band at shoulder, applied gothic mono E H on side; 4-1/2" high. Condition is near-mint.

VanRensselaer was probably working in Albany when he made this spoon. (He later worked in NYC.) It has a short front rib, and has a tongue and double-molded drop on the bowl back, which is perhaps unique (see pic); mono on reverse is E over I (device) V in shaded block letters. Length is 8-1/8". Condition on this 250-year-old spoon is near mint, bowl tip unworn.

Simes, of course, worked in Portsmouth, NH. He made this spoon in 1800 or thereabouts. In appearance, it is fantastic. It has a long tapering handle terminating in an elongated slender bowl, with an unusual double-roulette drop on the bowl back. The mono is a feathered script L C F. Length is 8-3/8". Condition is mint.

Hammersley worked in NYC. This piece was made about 1750. Its rattail extends 2/3 of the bowl length (see pic). Interesting mono on reverse: tiny block letters M C over I E, over ornate foliate design. Length is 8". Condition is excellent, with just a touch of tipwear.

Prominent front rib, c1760 -- drop on bowl back, block mono A over G * R on reverse of handle; 7-3/4" in length. Bit of wear on bowl tip, otherwise condition is fine.

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.

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.

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.)

Deep rib on handle front, molded drop on bowl back, block mono D over M * M on reverse; 7-3/4" in length. Excellent condition, mark still crisp.

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.

Fiddle arms with flared shoulders, oval nips, feathered script mono L H A on bend; 6-1/4" in length. Good weight. Condition is excellent. Marked on one arm G&H -- Gale, who manufactured the piece in NYC, and Hayden, who retailed the piece in Charleston, SC. Marked on the other arm with the date of manufacture -- 1846.

Pointed-end handles, c1790 -- large double-molded drop on bowl back (see pic), feathered script mono J C B on front; 9" in length. Weight is 3-1/2 Troy oz. One has light tipwear, the other in excellent condition. These spoons are said to have come from the Bradford family of Plymouth, Mass.