Gorham's "Imperial" is a mid 19th century, twisted handle design that incorporates a notched end handle with leafy elements that are reminiscent of "Olive." Wood & Hughes had a counterpart pattern. The patterns so closely parallel each other that they are nearly indistinguishable unless set alongside one another. Gorham's examples are rarely marked, while Wood & Hughes' almost always are, and this can be another way of distinguishing them...

Each of these six, matched, coin silver teaspoons measures exactly 6" long and has the same fancy, feathered script "PAC" monogram. The group together weigh 3.9 T. oz. They are stamped "Wm. W. White," who is listed as a silversmith and jeweler in New York City, with a short early period in Philadelphia. The leafy pattern has been attributed to A. and W. Wood also of New York, and if there is this connection, these would have to date c...

Thomas Conlyn is listed as a Philadelphia silversmith c. 1843. These six, matching 5 7/8" long, 3.1 T. oz. the group, coin silver teaspoons that bear his stamp date near to that. They have plain fronts, while the reverses have subtly tipt ends. The bowls have exposed drops. Each spoon has a feathered script "EB" monogram that is appealingly primitive straining to be sophisticated in style and execution. The condition of the set is near immaculate...

Measuring about 7 5/8" long and weighing 1.2 T. oz., this coin silver item is the length of a tea or dessert knife. That it is engraved "William" in script on the handle, however, suggests it might originally have been a youth knife. In any case, it is an especially appealing example of mid 19th century silver, offered by a well known New York City maker, Albert Coles, whose three part pseudo hallmark is stamped on the backside of the blade...

George Gebelein was known for "making fine reproductions and adaptations," and as a collector and authority on silver according to Dorothy Rainwater in "Encyclopedia of American Silver Manufacturers." He was a recognized participant in the Boston arts and crafts movement, and well-established in that city. This example of his work is a 9 5/8" long, just over 2.1 T. oz., serving spoon that is imitative of a c. 1800 coffin end piece with an exposed drop on the heel...

This pair of coin silver tongs measures 6 3/4" long and weighs a moderately heavy 1.7 T. oz. The maker's stamp is "P. Howell," for Paul Howell of New York City c. 1810. He is also referenced as in a partnership with Garrett Eoff on Wall Street, NY, 1805-07. These dates all correlate well with the design of the piece, which is suggestive of coffin end. The arms are plain and lead to a broad, 7/8" wide, arch, but have an angular shift in width rather than a tapered one...

Measuring 6 3/4" long, each of these two matched, coin silver forks is tea or dessert size. They are weighty items, topping out at 2.9 T. oz. the pair...

"Prince Albert" is a design that is attributed to Michael Gibney, but which shows up in the marketplace under various nameplates (Gibney rarely marked his own work). Indeed this exceptionally long, 8 1/8", and heavy, 2.3 T. oz., fork is stamped "Ball, Tompkins & Black." A firm of high standing, successors to Marquand & Co. in 1839 before becoming "Ball, Black & Co." in 1851, it may have enjoyed a particularly close business connection with Gibney. The entry in Rainwater's "Encyclopedia of Ame...

Prince Albert was a European inspired design that found numerous expressions in the United States. This mid 19th century full-sized dinner fork is marked "Levi & Gottlieb" for the New York City retailer (321 Canal Street). It measures 7 11/16" long and weighs a substantial 2.0 T. oz. The handle is inscribe "H.M. Jayne." in fancy feathered lettering. The condition is excellent. Apart from slight tip wear on the tines, and a bit of softening of the design from polishing, there are no signs of ...

At 8", this solid sterling silver pickle or olive fork is exceptionally long. It is also an unusual form, with three pointed tines, the center one of which extends beyond the other two. The pattern is Newport Shell by Frank Smith. This is a heavy weight pattern, which this is, in spite of its slender form. There is no monogram or removal. The condition is very good. There is no polishing wear, only slight surface scratches consistent with its age. Marks are the Frank Smith emblem, Sterlin...

This Fiddle Thread fork measures 7" long and is quite heavy at 1.6 T. oz. It would have been used for tea or dessert. The backside is stamped Gorham & Co., which is a mark that was used by that company 1852-65, and "Coin." The front is engraved A.L. Fiske in script lettering. It is in very good condition, with surface scratches on the tines, which also show slight tip wear.

In his work on American coin silver pseudo hallmarks, John McGrew attributes the arm & hammer, buffalo, eagle that appears on this c. 1840, 8 9/16" long, moderately heavy, 1.7 T. oz., coin silver tablespoon to John S. Putnam of Rochester, New York. There is no retailer's stamp on this. It is a handsome, robust item, with a reverse tipt end and a fancy feathered script "WMH" monogram. It is in outstanding condition. Apart from one shallow dimple in the bowl and the expected surface scratches,...