posted 12-22-2004 03:39 PM            

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Many thanks. Our collection includes a silver inkwell stand (c. 1819-1830), marked on the bottom “J. Leonard”. It is listed in the files as the work of J. Leonard, a Georgetown silversmith, who I assume to be the same as Jacob Leonard active at the time. I have no citation for the attribution to Jacob, nor do I have a citation that places him in Georgetown. The records are a bit spotty. Thanks for your help. I do hope to learn more about him.

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posted 02-10-2005 06:33 PM            

Samuel seems to have taken over his kinsman's Chestertown business, which he continued until his death in 1848. According to one knowledgable dealer I consulted who has researched the Leonards, Jacob may have been Samuel's uncle.

There is still an extensive and deep-rooted Leonard clan on the Eastern Shore, especially in the region of Talbot County (just across the Chesapeake from Washington, D.C.).

posted 05-14-2008 12:21 AM            

"The Washington Directory, 1827." S.A. Elliot, 1827 lists Seraphim Masi jeweller, silversmith, and watchmaker North Side Pennsylvania Avenue beween 4 1/2 and 6 West. Jacob Leonard watchmaker Masi's. Boards Mrs Franzoni's opposite new Masonic Hall. Robert Lanphier engraver and jeweller Masi's. Boards North side of Pennsylvania Avenue between 12 and 13 West.

posted 05-08-2009 10:45 PM            

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Jacob Leonard, silversmith (addendum) by OWK on 05-08-2009 05:35 PM

There exists in the "American Silver Before Sterling" forum, a topic entitled Leonard, silversmith".

I recently acquired a set of four large spoons marked by Jacob Leonard (J LEONARD in a rectangular punch, but without the serrated border on the punch) The die was clearly sunk by the same die sinker (probably Leonard) but the mark is a bit different, and almost certainly earlier. The form of the spoons also appears earlier than the date range given for J. Leonard's work in Washington D.C.

While it is possible that the spoons were made as late as 1810, I'd suggest that they are more likely 1795-1805 (maybe even a bit earlier). I think they were likely made in Chestertown Md. (before J. Leonard moved to D.C. and took up work with S. Masi).

While researching these pieces, I came across the earlier forum discussion on Jacob Leonard, and since I benefited from the discussion, I thought I'd add to it.

swarter commented early in the thread, that it was likely that J. Leonard moved to Fredericksburg Va. in August 1828 as a clock and watchmaker named J. Leonard advertised there in that year.

While this is possible, it seems unlikely, as Jacob Leonard the silversmith, died less than a year later October of 1829, and his funeral was held in his dwelling across from the New Odd Fellows Hall (according to the obituary on file at the Congressional Cemetery in Washington, where he is buried).

Anyone adding any additional information on the early years of J. Leonard's working life would be greatly appreciated. I may well have the oldest known pieces of this smith's silver, and perhaps the only pieces of his Chestertown Md. work.

I'll post pictures of the form, and of the mark, a bit later.

My apologies for posting this in the New Members forum, but I still don't have access to other fora. (hint hint)

Hint - Hint ... read the Guidelines. Also see the post How to get posting privileges in the other SSF public forums

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These are the aforementioned photos. The spoons are a little over 9 inches in length. The drop is quite unusual. Overall the spoons are very stoutly made. The form looks to me, to be well prior to 1810 (although that is by no means a certainty).

The mark is not the same as the later (serrated) mark shown in the earlier thread.

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