Souvenir spoon

1892-1895

Place madeProvidence, Rhode Island, United States, North America

Silver

Overall: 5 5/8 x 1 1/4 x 7/8 in. ( 14.3 x 3.2 x 2.2 cm )

Gift of Mr. Walston S. Brown

1987.4b

In the 1890s and early years of the twentieth century thousands of souvenir spoons were made by dozens of United States manufacturers. Gorham, the largest manufacturer of sterling flatwares in the U.S. at the turn of the century, dominated the souvenir spoon market almost from the beginning. (See Charles H. Carpenter, Jr., "Gorham Silver, 1831-1981," pp. 180-199.)

Descriptionsilver souvenir spoon with almond-shaped bowl with flanged edges and engraved initials inside; handle finial in the form of a portrait bust of Robert Ingersoll with crossed torches, inscribed "REASON" and "LIBERTY," below base; stamped maker's mark on back of bowl.

Markingsin relief: on obverse of handle: "REASON" and "LIBERTY" engraved: on inside of bowl: "E.G.B." stamped: on reverse of bowl: "OTTO WETTSTEIN / [lion][anchor]G / STERLING"

ClassificationsSILVER