Vintage French absinthe spoon, Les Feuilles #1, circa 1900. These spoons were placed over a glass with a sugar cube on top, and the water was poured over the cube to reduce the bitterness of the absinthe. This is guaranteed to be a period absinthe spoon from a French bar; it is not one of the many reproductions which are being sold on the Internet. It is in very good condition, showing some stains and oxidation from use...

Vintage French absinthe spoon, Les Pipes #7, circa 1900. These spoons were placed over a glass with a sugar cube on top, and the water was poured over the cube to reduce the bitterness of the absinthe. This is guaranteed to be a period absinthe spoon from a French bar; it is not one of the many reproductions which are being sold on the Internet. It is in very good condition, showing some stains and oxidation from use...

Vintage French absinthe spoon, Les Feuilles #2, circa 1900. These spoons were placed over a glass with a sugar cube on top, and the water was poured over the cube to reduce the bitterness of the absinthe. This is guaranteed to be a period absinthe spoon from a French bar; it is not one of the many reproductions which are being sold on the Internet. It is in very good condition, showing some spots where the plating has worn from use exposing the brass underneath...

Fine quality absinthe spoon, Les Carrés #10, circa 1900 with the maker’s poinçon or mark on the back of the handle (the mark, however, is struck poorly so it is difficult to read). These spoons were placed over a glass with a sugar cube on top, and the water was poured over the cube to reduce the bitterness of the absinthe. This is guaranteed to be a period absinthe spoon from a French bar; it is not one of the many reproductions which are being sold on the Internet...

French absinthe era bar saucer with 1 franc 75 centime price with light blue rim and mostly worn gilt line decoration. This is a guaranteed genuine turn-of-the-century saucer or soucoupe from the Belle Epoque when poets and artists drank the addictive wormwood-based drink absinthe, which was banned in France in 1915. When you ordered, each drink was served on a priced saucer...

French absinthe era bar saucer with 1 franc 25 centime price with light blue rim and mostly worn gilt line decoration. This is a guaranteed genuine turn-of-the-century saucer or soucoupe from the Belle Epoque when poets and artists drank the addictive wormwood-based drink absinthe, which was banned in France in 1915. When you ordered, each drink was served on a priced saucer...

French absinthe era bar saucer with 3 franc 50 centime price and scarce silver-gilt rim and line decoration. This is a guaranteed genuine turn-of-the-century saucer or soucoupe from the Belle Epoque when poets and artists drank the addictive wormwood-based drink absinthe, which was banned in France in 1915. When you ordered, each drink was served on a priced saucer...

French absinthe era bar saucer with 5 franc price and scarce silver-gilt rim and line decoration. Less saucers were made with high prices on them and are consequently harder to find. Most saucers of this pre-ban period had considerably lower prices on them. This is a guaranteed genuine turn-of-the-century saucer or soucoupe from the Belle Epoque when poets and artists drank the addictive wormwood-based drink absinthe, which was banned in France in 1915...

French absinthe era bar saucer with 2 franc 50 centime price with yellow rim and gilt line decoration. This is a guaranteed genuine turn-of-the-century saucer or soucoupe from the Belle Epoque when poets and artists drank the addictive wormwood-based drink absinthe, which was banned in France in 1915. When you ordered, each drink was served on a priced saucer...

French absinthe era bar saucer with 1 franc 75 centime price and scarce silver-gilt rim and line decoration. This is a guaranteed genuine turn-of-the-century saucer or soucoupe from the Belle Epoque when poets and artists drank the addictive wormwood-based drink absinthe, which was banned in France in 1915...

By Sir Herbert Richmond, commandant of the Imperial Defence College from 1927-28, the book "explains in non-technical language and broad principles which underlie the problem of what is called Imperial Defence -- the defence of the interests, the territories and the persons of all the individuals comprising the British Empire." Scarce book, 21 illustrations. Some foxing on edges and on pages in first half of book, diagonal crease on a dozen or so pages at front, none of which constitute serious ...

The coin was struck by The Royal Mint of Great Britain in 1977 in honor of the 25th anniversary of of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II and bears a new effigy of the Queen on horseback. The reverse of the coin displays the Ampulla and Annointing Spoon from the Royal Regalia, encircled by a floral border and surmounted by a Royal Crown. The designer of the coin was Arnold Machin, OBA, RA. This is a brilliant uncirculated coin which has been electroplated in 24-karat gold. Certificate accompanies th...