Early 19th Century Ebenezer Phelps Coin Tablespoon

The immediate presumption is that the maker of this piece was Ebenezar Phelps of Northampton, Massachusetts, based on the "Phelps" stamped on the reverse. The early 19th century style would correspond with that attribution as well, given Ebenezar's dates were 1766 until at least 1830. However, there is a second imprint which is a multi-point star. McGrew illustrates this in his work on pseudo hallmarks, and attributes it in one instance to S. Bell working in Philadelphia and later Knoxville, Tennessee, and in the second instance to George Sehorn of Athens, Tennessee. This raises the possibility of a Tennessee connection. At 9 3/4" overall, 1.5+ T. oz., it is unusually long for a tablespoon. There is an "HL" feathered script monogram. The condition is very fine, with excellent form, a clean bowl, and a nicely patinated finish.