posted 10-16-2008 03:34 PM            

HI everyone.

I am a brand new member here, having just discovered this forum yesterday. I have already spent a great amount of time here, and I am so grateful that this forum exists. It's good to be able to read the background information and feel the passion that so many of the responders have for silver.

I am far from being a dealer or even a collector, though I do possess what I consider to be a fair amount of silver. I inherited a small chest full of flatware that I grew up with. One day when I was having a bad day, I decided to open it and handle some of the items that I recall from special dinners during my childhood. This one serving spoon that I never particularly cared for but was quite ornate. I decided to research it, to see "what" it was. It was pretty easy to find and I was delighted to find some examples online of various pieces in the pattern. It turned out to be Whiting's "Ivory" pattern. I was even more delighted to see that most of them were selling online for more than $[xxx]! Though I didn't intend to sell it, it's always nice to know you own something of value. BTW, I remember it always being around, at least since I was a very little girl, and I was born in 1971. I have no idea where it came from before that, however.

Here are the pics:

Well, something didn't seem 'right'. There were actually two major things. One was that the descriptions always included 'ivory handle'; my handle doesn't seem like ivory. It feels more like plastic, and more specifically, melamine. The other issue is that this is supposed to be a high-quality piece, along the lines of Tiffany, especially since the designer of the piece, Charles Osborne, had worked for Tiffany as well. It doesn't have the 'feel' of high-quality, in that the edges of the spon, as well as the edges on the underside scrolling are rough. As I looked closer, it appears that the piece came from a mold. Another thing that disturbs me is that there is a definite line on the back collar, where the two ends meet. I would think that it shouldn't, or would at least have been touched up to make it look smoother. Another thing that I have noticed is that the mark is quite crisp. It is clearly marked with the Whiting Lion, Sterling, and 2888, but it doesn't seem to go as 'deep' as the other photos I have seen. I weighed it and my scale said it weighs 1.9 ounces.

But then, I tend to be a bit paranoid and hypercritical at times.
Does anyone know if this piece could be an original? Or if copies were made? (I know anyone with the proper technology can make a copy, but I wonder if it was something widespread?) I am also curious: if it was a copy, how did it get stamped with Whiting's maker's mark?

To be clear on the 'why I am asking' requirement: curiosity about the item, and fascination with the fact that I might own a forged item! I know that sounds weird, but I guess I have a little Nancy Drew in me.

Thanks!!!

posted 10-16-2008 06:31 PM            

A very nice piec and welcome to the forum.

posted 10-16-2008 07:44 PM            

Patent number: D20636
Filing date: Dec 26, 1890
Issue date: Nov 1891

I vote for some kind of an early celluloid for the handle, but that's just a guess.

posted 10-17-2008 10:57 AM            

As for values, we do not discuss them on the forum. A word of caution, though, is that 'values' are very slippery, hard to determine in a real world situation, and typically are lower than what some people may hope for. The more important aspect of 'value' in such a spoon is its personal importance to you as a memory of your childhood that you can always have. That is priceless. I would encourage you to go into your silver chest and take some things out, clean them up and use them often. That way you can start imbuing them with even more memories for yourself and those around you.

posted 10-17-2008 06:33 PM            

Thank you for all the wonderful responses! All of you are so knowledgeable and so kind!

I guess I am a bit paranoid. It's delightful to learn that my piece is genuine. I appreciate what Kimo said about Whiting, and I appreciate the point about the designer working at another company. I guess the designer affects the design but the manufacturer determines quality. It makes me appreciate my few Tiffany pieces all the more!

Many, many thanks again for your knowledgeable responses and the time that you took to compose them.

I look forward to "seeing" all of you more!

Beth

posted 10-18-2008 02:56 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by bascall:
Patent number D20636 looks like the design of your spoon. If you're not familiar with google patents, the easiest thing to do is "google" patents. The patent number alone beginning with the "D," once you get into their site, is all you'll need.

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