Catalog: Silver: Coin Silver: Flatware

Philadelphia circa 1790, from the same service as item 0867 although the bright cut decoration is slightly different in execution, length 9 1/4 inches, immaculate condition.

New Orleans circa 1858, length 8 3/4 inches, some minor dents in bowls but no tip wear, good overall condition, weight 2.94 Troy ounces, monogrammed "F.M.P." (script, obverse). Items bearing the mark of L. Simons (see second photo) would appear to be scarce.

round downturned ends with short back midrib decoration and raised arch drops, length 8 3/4 inches, weight 4.14 Troy ounces the pair, some very light wear to engraving but fine overall condition, marked as shown in fifth enlargement with Vernon's distinctive pseudo-hallmarks.

Collecting early American silver does not have to be an overly expensive proposition, although you could also find similar spoons on ebay (item 274673082801) @195.00 each!

NY circa 1790, bright cut borders with oval cartouche, elongated bowls with raised oval drops, length 8 3/4 inches, weight 3.13 Troy ounces the pair, marked and monogrammed as shown in enlargements. There is some softening to the decoration, but the bowls are largely free of tip wear and both spoons are in very good overall condition...

Whitingham circa 1800, length 5 5/8 inches, total Troy weight .79 oz., very good condition, period script mono (obverse) and a slightly later one (reverse), marked as shown in third enlargement.

Notable as birthplace of Brigham Young, the town was a mere thirty years old when these spoons were made. We marvel a bit that such a small, rural spot could support its own silversmith, and can't help but suspect that he dabbled in other trades.

length 7 5/8 inches, weight 1.84 Troy ounces, monogrammed as shown in second enlargement, gilt bowl, outstanding original condition. Concerning the engraving, both the quality of design and the execution are far above average.

Marked only "coin," back in the day we would have hastened to read through many musty issues of "Silver Magazine" in order to find the maker of this fine ladle, but now, in our dotage, we will leave this task to you, dear reader.

circa 1860, with hollow handle and finely engraved flat all silver blade; marked "R & W WILSON" in rectangle; length 11 1/2 inches; engraved "Woelpper" on reverse of blade, good condition although the edge is a bit rough (please see second enlargement).

retailer, with arrow - W - monarch maker's mark, length six inches, with short front midrib and pointy shoulders, monogrammed "Lewis".

These are substantial and well made spoons, weighing in at 4.69 oz. Troy, the lot. The overall condition is excellent. Whether any of this lends them a premium over the silver value, or whether they'll be swallowed up by the smelter's gaping maw remains to be seen...

length 7 5/8 inches, monogrammed "F.E. Dean", maker J.B. & Co (possibly Jones Ball & Co, Boston circa 1850). Most of the handles have the usual pinprick dents which one might expect in knives from this period; two have some larger dings which we've shown in photo number five. The blades are in fine condition.

New York circa 1750, with round upturned end, spatulate midrib, long elliptical bowl and molded drop, length 7 3/4 inches, weight 1.72 oz. Troy.

There is slight tip wear from right handed use, a few minor insults to the bowl (including a scratch, reverse), and significant wear to the monogram "B / E * E". On the whole, however, this spoon presents itself well. To quote Quimby in American Silver at Winterthur, "Stoutenburgh left a small body of high quality work"...

of regional interest, length 8 1/4 inches, monogrammed "L.J.K." (script, obverse), fine condition. This broad fiddle pattern is typical of the Louisville/Cincinatti region. Marked "J.S. & S. COIN"; see second photo.

circa 1840. Tipt double swell fiddle handle, no monogram, length 7 1/4 inches, weight .87 oz. Troy, good condition. For those who collect VT silver, finding the town mark (please see third enlargement) along with the maker is an unexpected pleasure.

Roswell Hopkins Bailey was born in Unity, NH on July 22, 1804. At or near the time this spoon was made, he served as master to two apprentices: first Samuel Philbrick Bailey, then Bradbury Melon Bailey...

length 5 5/8 inches, weight .45 oz. Troy, pointed downturned end with rounded drop and thirteen-lobed shell below, excellent condition, monogrammed "B".

Come ye citizens of Portsmouth and reclaim thy heritage!!