Catalog

This 8 1/8" long, 1.77 T. oz., coin silver piece stands apart for several reasons.

One distinguishing aspect is the combination of maker and retailer.

It is stamped with the "eagle, thistle, harp" mark of Philadelphia's Taylor & Lawrie." Catherine Hollan in Philadelphia Silver notes "they [T&L] advertised they had manufactured for Bailey & Kitchen then for Bailey & Co. for twenty years . . . (1857 adv)."

This is stamped "M.W. Galt & Bro.," for the Washington, D.C. firm establishe...

This 8 7/8" long, relatively weighty 2.8 T. oz., berry or other serving spoon has a rounded "Old English" handle with a tipt backside.

A highly refined piece, it has an overall matte finish and is finely engraved in what appears to be a wild rose or dogwood floral design on the handle, and a detailed butterfly set amidst bamboo or similar leaves in the bowl.

These motifs are very much in the Aesthetic style of its circa 1880 period.

There is an embellished Old English "C" monogram on th...

This set of six, 6" long, 3.0 T. oz. the group, coin silver spoons are all marked "Root & Chaffee" along with a right facing "eagle" emblem.

William Root and Frederick Chaffee were located in Pittsfield, in the Berkshires region of Western Massachusetts, and were in partnership 1830-1849.

These have Fiddle handles with Tipt backs and are all engraved in fancy, feathered script, lettering, "E T Boyd" on the fronts.

In very good condition, they are free of wear or damage suc...

Stamped with the "helmet over S in a shield" manufacturing mark introduced by Simpson, Hall, Miller & Co. in 1895 and continued in use after the merger that formed the International Silver Company in 1898, this piece made have been made under the auspices of either firm, but not likely much later than 1900 based on the style of the item.

A 2" tall, 3 1/8" wide, 2.57 T. oz. solid silver shaving mug, it follows after the manner of a standard handled mug, save with the addition of a cupped and p...

Properly hallmarked for London, 1766-67, sterling silver, and maker Thomas Wallis I, this spoon measures measures 6 7/8" long and weighs a substantial 1.8 T. oz. It is a Seal Top form with a characteristic flat disk (disc) end.

Original Seal Top pieces trace to the 16th and 17th centuries, however, meaning this is a "conversion" adapted from a regular but later date, albeit mid 18th century in this instance, spoon.

The back of the handle is flat, while the front has chamfered...

A name of note among 19th century Philadelphia silver manufacturers, William Faber, later joined by his sons, produced items of high quality and lasting appeal.

This substantial sized gravy ladle, 7 1/2" long, 2.0 T. oz., with a 2 5/8" wide, 1" deep, oval bowl is a case in point.

It is distinguished by its extensive bright cut engraving that appears on a rounded end "Antique" handle, and additionally in the bowl with double vee shaped grooves and scalloped shoulders.

Portraying a floral...

Writing in Silver Medallion Flatware, D. Albert Soeffing comments that "[Philo B.] Gilbert was a prominent New York City manufacturer, working for about thirty years. Although not well know today, he was one of the leading producers of his day."

This 6" long, .8 T. oz., coin silver sugar spoon is an early example of his "Medallion" pattern, marked only "Patent 1867."

Relatively rare, the line is multi-motif, featuring a variety of different helmeted knight's heads facing left. This ...

Very much a period table piece, this 8 1/4" long, 1.5 T. oz., spoon has a rounded end with a tipt backside, and an exposed drop on the bowl.

The handle front is diamond cut and wriggle work engraved, and has a block letter "E S" monogram, in a manner that bespeaks its age.

The handle reverse is fully hallmarked with a castle assay mark for Exeter, England, 1799-1800 date letter (George III), duty bust, lion for sterling silver, and "RJ" for silversmith Richard Jenkins (d. 1807).

The bow...

A worker who apprenticed in the shop of renowned Arts & Crafts silversmith Arthur Stone, George Erickson founded his own studio in Gardner, Massachusetts, the same city as Stone, in 1932. The business continues today under the ownership of his grandson Peter.

This 6 1/2" long, approximately 1.2 T. oz., serving spoon is an early production piece, original to George, marked "Erickson Sterling".

A serving spoon with an ovoid bowl, the pattern is "Chino," which is a rounded end fiddle design. ...

An early line pattern first issued in 1861 to a coin silver standard, "Cottage" continued in production for many years, through Gorham's transition to sterling in 1868.

This 8 3/4" long, just over 1.8 T. oz., berry or other serving spoon is marked "Sterling," indicating it dates 1868 or later. Other marks include the company's "lion, anchor, G" emblem, "Patent 1861," and the rarely found identifier, "Gorham Mfg. Co."

It has a 3 1/2" by 2 1/8", particular to Gorham, stylized shell form bowl...

Relative large, this coin silver master butter knife measures 7 3/4" long and weighs a commensurately heavy 1.3 T. oz.

Elegantly designed, it has a lengthy, slender, handle that has high, double swell, chamfered fins off the blade. The end is fiddle shaped and features a raised shell motif.

The blade is somewhat short at 2 7/8" long and wide at 1 1/8". It has a blunt end and curved upper edge with a notch toward the tip.

It has an implied provenance in that the front of t...

Lengthy at 8 7/8" and weighing .9 T. oz., this olive spear or pick is solid silver.

The pattern is "Thistle," which is an early 20th century Art Nouveau design made by R. Blackinton & Co.

The high relief thistle flowers and leaves run the full length of both sides of the handle, with the leaves extending onto the shoulders of the twist.

Never monogrammed, this is in flawless condition. It retains clear pattern detail that is free of any polishing wear. There are no bends or burrs, and t...

Very heavy at just over 2.0 T. oz., this 7 3/4" long master butter knife is stamped "Crosy, Morse & Foss," for the 19th century Boston retailer, and "925 in an oval" for sterling silver.

Having a rounded "Antique" handle with a "Tipt" backside, the appeal of the piece lies in its quiet elegance and overall substance.

There is a handsome leaf script monogram engraved on the handle front.

The plain blade has a scalloped upper edge, a beveled lower edge, and an upswept, pointed, tip.

An...

A multi-motif line, George Shiebler's 1902 Fiorito portrays a variety of flowers interpreted in an Art Nouveau manner.

This example is a 5 3/4" long, .5 T. oz., bon bon representing a clematis.

A fully open blossom appears on the handle end, while the portraiture is repeated in the entirety of the 2" by 1 3/4", nearly round, reticulated and undulating, bowl that has a pale gold wash finish front and back sides.

Never monogrammed or inscribed, this is in flawless condition,...

The name Gorham immediately evokes Jabez Gorham of Providence, Rhode Island, and the legendary firm he founded.

The same surname, however, appears in the history of 18th and 19th century silversmithing in New Haven, Connecticut.

This minor dynasty included Miles Gorham, his son by the same name, and his nephew John, whose "J. Gorham" mark is imprinted on this lengthy, 8 7/8", 1.5 T. oz. coin silver spoon.

Born in 1789, Flynt & Fales Heritage Foundation Collection of Silver notes ...

A prominent Syracuse, New York silver manufacturer with a history that spanned the second half of the 19th century and lasted until early into the 20th century, Joseph Seymour produced a number of flatware patterns in coin and sterling silver.

The Square Handled Engraved pattern on these two matching 5 5/8" long, 1.13 T. oz. combined, forks is one that does not have clear design parallels, either with Seymour or other firms.

The handle is flat, and as the name implies, has straight ...

Originally associated with Herman Marcus as Starr & Marcus, Theodore B. Starr established his own firm in 1880. His work as a jeweler was renowned and he also produced silver hollowware (see Old Friends item 5551f) as well as some flat ware.

This 6" long, relatively weighty at 1.2 T. oz., sturdy sauce ladle marked "Sterling" and "Theodore B. Sarr New York" dates from the early 20th century, and, although marked for Starr, may actually have been made by Marshall Field who produced a wel...

Born in 1802, Albert Comstock Benedict was a prominent New York City silversmith during the first half of the 19th century and beyond. He worked in partnership with Egbert Scudder from 1828-36.

His mark, which appears on all four of these lengthy, 6 1/4", 2.3 T. oz. the group, matching teaspoons is distinct. It reads, "A.C. Benedict" over "28 Bowery, N.Y."

The handles are Fiddle shaped with Tipt backsides. There are high, rounded, fins off the bowls, and plain drops on the ba...