Artist/Maker
Watson Company
(American, active 1880 – 1955)
Spoon
1939
Silver
Overall: 5 7/8 x 1 1/4 x 7/8 in. (14.9 x 3.2 x 2.2 cm)
Gift of Roberta Gratz
2009.28.236
This spoon is part of a collection of 407 New York-themed spoons donated by journalist and urban critic Roberta Brandes Gratz in 2009. During the 1880s, American travelers began collecting spoons in earnest as souvenirs of European cities. Anticipating a demand for American souvenir flatware, a few savvy U.S. manufacturers began patenting designs around 1889. New York City subjects appeared on spoons almost immediately. Gorham became the first major factory to produce New York City spoons, joining the craze in 1891. By 1893, Tiffany & Co. offered eighteen different souvenir spoons featuring New York City landmarks at prices ranging from $2 to $5.
DescriptionSterling silver souvenir spoon; on handle, cut-out birds-eye view of city and “NEW YORK”; on bowl, spire and circular building and “NEW YORK WORLD’S FAIR 1939”; all in relief; reverse plain.MarkingsStamped: on reverse: crown, gothic "W" and Chimera / "STERLING", In marker: on reverse of bowl: 2T1
ClassificationsSILVER
