Gorham & Webster Six Matching Choice Period Coin Silver Place Spoons

These six, matched, coin silver, spoons are marked "Gorham & Webster," for a partnership that traces to 1831-37.

This period demarcated a turning point in the history of Gorham, defining the pivotal time when the company began its ascendency as a premier silver manufacturing firm.

It bears citing Charles Carpenter's passage in Gorham Silver 1831-1981 about this partnership:

Whether or not Jabez Gorham learned spoon making during his apprenticeship is unknown, but when he decided to go into the spoon business he went to Boston for his expertise. There he made an agreement with Henry L. Webster, a young silversmith, who had had a long apprenticeship in the shop of Lewis Cary of Boston, after which he started his own business as a maker of silver spoons. He had only been in business a short time when he made the agreement with Gorham to come to Providence [Rhode Island] to form the partnership of Gorham & Webster.

The pathway forward to a remarkable industrial history was cast with the establishment of this partnership that brought together persons whose combined skills included business acumen, manufacturing innovation, and production skill and capacities.

These items measure 7 1/2" long each, which is an unusual size by contemporary convention in that it is lengthier than a dessert spoon but not quite as long as a tablespoon. In their time, when large scale was favored, these would have served as standard place pieces.

They weigh 5.8 T. oz. the group.

The pattern is a "Reverse Tipt," with a downward curved handle, and slight midrib on the backside.

Each one is engraved "Almy" in script on the handle front. Almy was a prominent name in Providence's story, underlining the historical significance of these.

They are in remarkably fine condition. The bowls remain perfectly shaped and are free of tip wear, dents, or burrs. Polishing wear is nil, with the inscriptions remaining sharp and clear, as are the marks. The finishes have a fine patina.