|
|
|
| How to Post Photos |
REGISTER (click here)
|
|
|
|
| How to Post Photos |
REGISTER (click here)
|
|
 SMP Silver Salon Forums
 Silver Stories
 The old family spoon
|
 SSFFriend: Email This Page to Someone! |
next newest topic | next oldest topic |
| Author | Topic: The old family spoon |
|
Brent Posts: 1507 |
posted 04-10-2008 03:11 PM
  
    Every now and then I encounter a piece of silver that seems to have a story all its own. Such is the case with this teaspoon. Either made or retailed by F.A Durgin of St. Louis, the spoon is unsually heavy, with a square shank that is a full 1/8 inch thick. What makes this piece so interesting to me is the exceptional degree of wear with no signs of abuse. The patina is like something you would see on a mid 18th Century spoon, but this is about 100 years newer. The wonderful Victorian monogram is worn down to near-illegiibity. The bowl is of such thick gauge that there are no dents, but it actually has a flat spot on the heel from contact. My best guess is that this spoon was used every day for many, many years. I was thinking it might have been a child's spoon, and the child used it their whole life. Or maybe it was passed down from child to child, and every kid in the family used it. Still, a piece like this makes me a little sad, because the story is lost, and a family is a bit poorer for it. It is like a photo album in a junk shop, with no one to care who the people in it were. This came to us in a lot (when I wasn't there), with a bunch of newer pieces and silverplate of little value. I guess it got passed down to someone who didn't know or care about it. I will preserve it, but I wish it were back with its family where it belongs. Brent IP: Logged |
|
jersey Posts: 1203 |
posted 04-10-2008 06:18 PM
Brent, Thank you! Jersey IP: Logged |
|
Polly Posts: 1970 |
posted 04-11-2008 12:45 AM
Brent, don't be sad. The spoon has found someone to treasure its history. And in a way, you know as much about it as a family member might--you just know different things about it. IP: Logged |
|
bascall Posts: 1629 |
posted 04-11-2008 08:36 AM
Brent, it does look like someones proud possession of many years. As worn as the monogram is, would you mind doing a closeup of it. Even if it is not too significant, it does look interesting. IP: Logged |
|
vathek Posts: 966 |
posted 04-11-2008 09:04 AM
Brent said: "Still, a piece like this makes me a little sad, because the story is lost, and a family is a bit poorer for it." Brent: I can't tell you how many estate sales I've been to where the family is selling off old family photos and correspondence. Something I find odd, guess they just don't care about family history. IP: Logged |
|
jersey Posts: 1203 |
posted 04-11-2008 11:34 AM
Vathek, I too have been to sales where photos etc. are being sold off & have usually inquired as to why. The typical responses were: 1. There is no family left. 2. They have duplicate & triplicates. 3. No one around to say who these people are. 4. The sad answer, no one cares. One thing with photos is to write info on the back & I know we all say we are going to do it but don't. Or with silver make a list......we don't seem to get around to that either. Jersey IP: Logged |
|
Brent Posts: 1507 |
posted 04-16-2008 10:34 PM
 Here is a picture of the monogram on the back of the handle for you. I was wondering if anyone thought the bird might be intended as a stork? It doesn't look much like a real one, but storks do appear on lots of children's silver. Brent IP: Logged |
|
Polly Posts: 1970 |
posted 04-16-2008 10:54 PM
Could be. It looks more like a heron to me, but hey--it's not a photograph. IP: Logged |
|
Ulysses Dietz Moderator Posts: 1265 |
posted 06-13-2008 10:18 PM
Heron, crane, stork--whatever; it was, in its day, Jap-o-neeze and hence modren. Very nice. I can't tell you how sad it makes me to see baby cups, inscriptions intact, in the marketplace--and you see them all the time. But people, some very dangerous people, really don't care about anything "old." Better for us. IP: Logged |
|
Marc Posts: 414 |
posted 06-14-2008 03:34 PM
Hi all, Yes it is sad to see so much family history being sold or given away. The good thing about silver, is that it can be cleaned up (lovingly), and recycled. Brent, concerning the spoon, it appears as though the spoon was not used all that much as indicated by the full balanced rim. Daily use for one year will wear the edge significantly. The reason for the extreme wear on the monogram and stamps on the back is polishing for 115 years or so. The engraving of the bird on the front was not polished as often, or as hard, because it held more significance Marc IP: Logged |
All times are ET | next newest topic | next oldest topic |
  |
|
Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.46a
|
1. Public Silver Forums (open Free membership) - anyone with a valid e-mail address may register. Once you have received your Silver Salon Forum password, and then if you abide by the Silver Salon Forum Guidelines, you may start a thread or post a reply in the New Members' Forum. New Members who show a continued willingness to participate, to completely read and abide by the Guidelines will be allowed to post to the Member Public Forums. 2. Private Silver Salon Forums (invitational or $ donation membership) - The Private Silver Salon Forums require registration and special authorization to view, search, start a thread or to post a reply. Special authorization can be obtained in one of several ways: by Invitation; Annual $ Donation; or via Special Limited Membership. For more details click here (under development). 3. Administrative/Special Private Forums (special membership required) - These forums are reserved for special subjects or administrative discussion. These forums are not open to the public and require special authorization to view or post. |
|
copyright © 1993 - 2022
SM Publications
All Rights Reserved. Legal & Privacy Notices |