Rare Pair of Illinois or Missouri Tablespoons by Joseph W. Cary & Co.

Offered is a very rare example of the maker's mark or retailer's mark of the firm of Joseph W. Cary & Co. (see biographical information, which has some inaccuracies, below), of Alton, Illinois from the 1840s through about 1875, and of St. Louis, Missouri thereafter. Norman Mack, the author of "Missouri's Silver Age", indicates that no example of the work of this firm have been located. Either only a few pieces have survived, or the majority of spoons bearing this mark were made for, and remain in, the Illinois market. Each of these two coin silver tablespoons has a very good strike of the maker's mark, and each is engraved with a set of period initials and surname for the original owners, members of the Crowe family. These two tablespoons each measure about 8 1/2 inches in length, and the pair weighs a substantial 122 grams altogether. Condition is very good, with one spoon having a small scratch or gouge to the reverse of the handle that is of minimal importance. There is only modest wear overall, and no dents, splits or repairs. Please review all of the pics. All in all a fine pair!

Available singly for $65 each or $100 the pair.

CARY, JOSEPH W./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May 8, 1922 - Retired Jewelry Merchant Dies: Joseph W. Cary, retired business man, died Sunday at 7:45 a.m., at his home on Twelfth Street, following an illness of four days. Death was due to a complication of diseases. He was 84 years old. Mr. Cary, notwithstanding his advanced age, was in good health until recently. He became ill Thursday of last week, and even then his condition was not thought alarming until Saturday when fears for his recovery were felt. Development of pneumonia, and a stroke, Saturday, rendered his condition serious, and Sunday morning the end came. Mr. Cary, during his business career, showed what industry will accomplish, and typified that ideal American, to whom rising in the world is part of his life. Entering business when 17 years old, he rose until he became the head of a great firm. Joseph William Cary was born January 6 1838, at Portland, Conn. He came to Alton in 1855 at the age of 17, and engaged in the jewelry business with his uncle, William Cary. Industrious application to his duties and a steadfast determination to master the details of the business soon made of him a leader in his profession, and it was not long until he purchased his uncle's interest and conducted the business himself. In the early 80s, seeding wider fields, he went to St. Louis and entered the firm of Steidman and Lange, a jewelry supply house. The firm later became known as J. W. Cary & Co. Five years ago, Mr. Cary retired. Mr. Cary, in 1863, was married to Miss Ann Fay, a native of Alton and a daughter of Thomas Fay, prominent in the pork packing business in the earlier history of Alton. Of this marriage, two children were born, of whom one - Mrs. W. B. Robinson, survives. The other daughter, Nellie Cary, died when ten years old. Mrs. Cary died more than 20 years ago. Mr. Cary is survived also by a sister, Mrs. H. W. Ibbotson of Brooklyn. It is not known if Mrs. Ibbotson will be able to make the journey to Alton, because of her advanced age. Death of Mr. Cary removes from Alton a well-known and greatly respected citizen. During his business career he made many friends by his affability. His competitors regarded him as one to be feared always in competition, but one with whom honor came first. The funeral of Mr. Carey will be held Tuesday afternoon at 4 o'clock. Mr. Cary went to school in Alton and there are still here some of those who went to school with him. He was devoted to outdoors sports and was known as an expert at sailing a yacht. He formerly kept a fast sailboat on the Mississippi, but for the past twenty-five years had confined his sailing to the times when he would be spending his summer vacation at Harbor Beach, Mich. He was planning only last week for going to Harbor, Mich., for the summer, and was looking forward with great pleasure to having an outing there with Frank R. Milnor of Alton, whom he had known from boyhood.