|
A GLOSSARY of MILLED BANDS
|
|
| How to Post Photos |
REGISTER (click here)
|
|
A GLOSSARY of MILLED BANDS
|
|
| How to Post Photos |
REGISTER (click here)
|
|
 SMP Silver Salon Forums
 American Silver before sterling
 H.V.A.S.
|
 SSFFriend: Email This Page to Someone! |
next newest topic | next oldest topic |
| Author | Topic: H.V.A.S. |
|
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 |
posted 11-09-2003 03:20 PM
  
June and I came across this pretty spoon. It is marked H.V.A.S. and coin. We haven't any idea who H.V.A.S. is. Does anyone else? IP: Logged |
|
Paul Lemieux Posts: 1792 |
posted 11-09-2003 05:10 PM
"HVAS" is most likely "H__ V__ Agricultural Society" (though I don't know what H. V. means).
IP: Logged |
|
wev Moderator Posts: 4121 |
posted 11-09-2003 05:22 PM
There was a Hudson Valley Agricultural Society in the 19th century, I believe. Also Harmon Valley in Alberta Canada, but that seems less likely. IP: Logged |
|
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 |
posted 11-10-2003 09:37 AM
WOW, you really amaze me with the obscure info you are able to absorb and then to recall without hesitation. Very impressive. Really! Thank you. We found the spoon in the shadow of the Hudson Valley so Hudson Valley Agricultural Society would make sense. I assume it was some sort of community betterment group.
IP: Logged |
|
Brent Posts: 1507 |
posted 11-10-2003 09:34 PM
I think it is more likely the Housatonic Valley Agriculutural Society, which would be just over the border in Connecticut. Not that it couldn't be the Hudson Valley, but I HAVE seen silver marked for the Housatonic Valley Ag Society. I will see if I can get a picture of the mark, which is different from the one you illustrate but probably from an earlier date. Brent IP: Logged |
|
WGS Posts: 136 |
posted 11-30-2004 03:27 PM
It's fascinating what information is available on this forum. I was polishing some of my Thanksgiving serving pieces and noticed the markings on a coin serving spoon. ...marked in four separate rectangles more or less in a line as follows: W.M.ROOT I remember that I had found "W.M.ROOT" in Belden, but I'm sure I had been mystified by "AG. SCT". Now I know. The "1858" on my spoon is incuse in a rectangle and is definitely different from the rest of the markings. ------------------ IP: Logged |
|
doc Posts: 728 |
posted 04-20-2006 11:41 AM
I am following up on this post because I, too, have recently found a William Root salt spoon with the mark AG. SCT. Do people think that this is a mark for an agricultural society? It is not done as a monogram, but rather as a incised mark on the back, like the W.M. ROOT mark that is right next to it. I am without a camera for a couple of days, but could photograph on the weekend if helpful. IP: Logged |
|
doc Posts: 728 |
posted 04-20-2006 11:42 AM
To follow up, my spoon does not have the date mark or the Housatonic mark; however, its a small salt spoon, so there may not have been room! IP: Logged |
|
FWG Posts: 845 |
posted 04-21-2006 09:09 AM
doc, I would be pretty confident in saying that your piece was an agricultural society item. There are at least two schools of thought on these: either they were pieces that were entered in competition at one of the local fairs (which were run by the agricultural societies), or they were prizes, donated by a silversmith to be awarded at the fairs. I have record of some local silversmiths winning such competitions for their work, but have not found record of silver flatware being awarded, so I incline towards the former. But I'm open to both, and other, explanations. I've seen a number of such marks, including one that was attributed to Jefferson County, West Virginia -- but I think it was really Jefferson County, New York. It always amazed me that someone would go to the effort to cut a die for a mark like that, that would be used far less often than one's mark as a smith. Relatedly, the mark found more often of PREMIUM is also sometimes interpreted as indicating a fair prize. More likely, however, as others have noted, this was used by some silversmiths after they had won such a competition, or to indicate that it was supposed to be a higher quality piece. Interestingly -- and I'm quite willing to be corrected on this -- both the agricultural society and the premium marks seem most common from New York state. Given that, plus provenance, I'd be inclined to accept the original in this thread as Hudson Valley. To go back to an earlier query, one can find information on these societies in the local histories, which in the late 19th century were often done on a county-level basis. And local historical societies also often have information, sometimes even including the original lists of prize winners, etc. IP: Logged |
|
doc Posts: 728 |
posted 04-26-2006 04:01 PM
FWG, thank you for the elucidation. I think this would make a very interesting research topic, perhaps for a future article. My days of being a college history major are beckoning! I also smell a new subset for my silver collecting. IP: Logged |
|
Brent Posts: 1507 |
posted 04-27-2006 10:13 PM
I would be interested to know more about these Agricultural societies. We know that they did supply prizes for fairs and such, and there are Ag Society marks from all over the country. I had a piece from the Marion County Ag Society, which is the county that includes Indianapolis, and marked by a local smith/retailer. On the other hand, I was wondering if some of the societies actually had stores. If they were a growers co-op, rather than just a promotional organization, they might have run a store to sell goods, including silver. There is enough of the Housatonic Valley silver around to make me think that it could not all be fair premiums. Brent IP: Logged |
|
Dale Posts: 2132 |
posted 05-08-2006 05:23 PM
Actually fairs gave out an enormous number of trophies. In fact they still do. In silverplate there are quite a few floating around. Usually they are engraved goblets. Some of the engraving is interesting, particularly when an animal is shown. It seems that Iowa began using plated ones in the 1850's from an example I once saw. In the Midwest fairs were a quasi governmental agency. There is a board that runs the operation which includes owning land and buildings. Some fair boards are run by real aggresive managers who construct exhibition buildings which they rent out year round. In Tulsa, the fair grounds has at least 7 events every weekend. Brent's idea of a store or buying coop makes a lot of sense. It would seem like the logical way to do things. And probably did happen. IP: Logged |
|
ahwt Posts: 2334 |
posted 05-09-2006 08:05 PM
The Georgia Museum of Art recently exhibited several silver Agricultural trophies and noted in their catalog that in 1870 the state of Georgia spent $50,000 for premiums at state fairs. An actual breakdown was made for one regional fair in 1851 when the Southern Central Agricultural Society's fair included 80 five-dollar silver cups, 30 ten-dollar cups, 15 eight-dollar cups, 3 six-dollar cups, two twenty-dollar goblet, two twenty-five goblet, a twelve-dollar cup, a fifteen-dollar cup, a thirty dollar cup, a forty dollar cup, and a fifty-dollar cup. These premiums would not be close to the $50,000 that was later spent, but it was for a regional fair only. The Georgia Museum of Art published an interesting booklet with the exhibit and it may still be available. This excellent Art Museum is located in Athens, Georgia. See The Georgia Museum of Art for more information. IP: Logged |
|
doc Posts: 728 |
posted 05-10-2006 11:55 AM
The idea of cups being given as prizes makes sense, but the piece that started out this thread is a teaspoon, and the Root piece I have with an agricultural mark is an individual salt spoon. Seems unlikely these would have been prizes. I, too, like the idea of there haveing been a coop or store. In fact, in my neck of the woods, the local chain of feed and hardware stores is called the "Paris Farmers Union" (named for Paris, Maine, not the other Paris in France). They have only been in business since 1919, but I may look into what types of things they carried in the early days. [This message has been edited by doc (edited 05-10-2006).] IP: Logged |
|
doc Posts: 728 |
posted 05-10-2006 12:03 PM
As you can see, this topic has garnered my interest! I did some researching, and the actual name of the ag society in the Housatonic Valley is the Housatonic Agricultural Society (formed in 1858), so that may rule it out, since it doesn't use the term "Valley" in the name. IP: Logged |
|
FWG Posts: 845 |
posted 03-02-2007 03:34 PM
Took me a while, but I found my examples. What got me watching for these was one sold on that auction site in 2003 as Jefferson County, WV, that had the exact mark of one I had (the bottom in these photos). I've added two more since then. Since there are Jefferson counties everywhere, and all of mine have been found in upstate NY, I'm inclined to believe these are from here (up around Watertown). All three have different marks; top to bottom: 7.15" spoon, marked JEFF.CO.AGL.SOC. and 1853; 6" teaspoon marked Jeff.Co.Agl.Society; 5.5" teaspoon marked Co.Agl.Soy. (the Jeff. is missing, but seen in the same mark on that old auction listing). I am still fascinated that someone would go to the effort and expense to cut punches for this -- and clearly at least three different ones. IP: Logged |
|
FWG Posts: 845 |
posted 03-23-2007 06:45 PM
I just noticed that the mark on the middle of my three above is attributed in Redfearn's Indiana book. Yet another option! IP: Logged |
|
dragonflywink Posts: 993 |
posted 05-19-2012 02:52 AM
Since reading this thread several years ago, have gathered some bits & pieces of info regarding premium/prize spoons, dating from 1819-1858 - finally put some of them together..... ~Cheryl Appears some preferred silver premiums to cash; also mention of silver with "suitable devices" and "appropriate devices and inscriptions": An article on premiums, heavily promoting silver (assuming the "Mr. Warner" was Cuthbert or one of his boys?); and an example of prizes given, too: IP: Logged |
|
dragonflywink Posts: 993 |
posted 05-19-2012 02:55 AM
The premiums mentioned here were all fairly small, including salt spoons (special for Doc): The beginning of a list of silver prizes (really wordy), the premiums given for 2nd through 12th place were various spoons, ladles and knives, differing in value, though not progressively lower as might be expected: Mention of a decision to award silver rather than money: Mention of offering the option to take a set of six spoons in place of a medal: Short list of premiums (if I recall correctly, there was a separate category for the unmarried ladies): ~Cheryl IP: Logged |
|
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 |
posted 04-19-2018 10:58 PM
See: New Members post quote: Reference post: H.V.A.S. Re the H.V.A.S. stamp on silver spoons, queried a few years ago. I have such a spoon, inherited from ancestors who lived in n.w. Mass., around North Adams. I’m certain that H.V.A.S. (at least in this case) stands for Hoosac Valley Agricultural Society, founded in North Adams in 1860 and active well into the 20th century. (North Adams is in the valley of the Hoosac River, a tributary of the Hudson.) 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 |
