NYC Coin Silver Soup Ladle - S. Benedict

Coin silver soup ladle 12 and 5/8 inches long. Manufactured c. 1841-47 by Cunningham, Gilbert & Co. or F. W. Cooper in NYC as the Bust/Lion/C manufacturer's mark is attributed to those firms by McGrew in Manufacturer's Marks on American Coin Silver, pp. 10 & 58. Apparently retailed by Samuel W. Benedict of NYC. "BENEDICT" incuse appears together with the Bust/Lion/C. In Belden at p. 56 the mark "BENEDICT. 5 WALL STREET" incuse appears with the Bust/Lion/C and is attributed to Samuel W. Benedict. The "BENEDICT" here appears to be identical except for the lack of address. A severe dent in the bowl was repaired by Estes Simmons of Atlanta after I obtained it. The planishing marks are still visible as to remove them would have required extreme polishing and would have removed the patina, so I elected to leave them. However, they could be buffed out. No engraving. The price reflects the condition.