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tlineopen  American Silver before sterling
tline3open  J Foster Spoon With "Extra" Mark

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Author Topic:   J Foster Spoon With "Extra" Mark
bascall

Posts: 1629
Registered: Nov 99

iconnumber posted 04-26-2009 02:56 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for bascall     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
This is a tablespoon with an unusual added mark. Just wondering if anyone recognizes that mark. It looks like a raised fist clenching a dagger?

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swarter
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Posts: 2920
Registered: May 2003

iconnumber posted 04-26-2009 03:48 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for swarter     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
If you look at the outline shape of the punch itself, I believe you may see that it is intended to represent an eagle head in profile. It looks very much like the ones used in pre-assay office period Baltimore. There was much interchange of silver between Philadelphia and Baltimore, but not much with Boston where Joseph Foster worked. Clean some of the tarnish out of the recesses to get a better idea of what it looks like.

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bascall

Posts: 1629
Registered: Nov 99

iconnumber posted 04-26-2009 03:57 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for bascall     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I'll try to do some cleaning and better closeups of the mark, but right now all my brain can register about this mark is the clenched fist with a dagger or something like that in it and that may just be coincidental to the eagle's head that is intended as you say.

[This message has been edited by bascall (edited 04-26-2009).]

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Polly

Posts: 1970
Registered: Nov 2004

iconnumber posted 04-26-2009 09:05 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Polly     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Handsome spoon. I like the shape of the * between the initials.

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bascall

Posts: 1629
Registered: Nov 99

iconnumber posted 04-27-2009 03:16 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for bascall     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote

Swarter, thank you! The eagle mark had become an optical illusion for me.

Polly, thank you too! No illusion, this is a good looking spoon. Its nine inch length adds to its grace. The block letter initials are really well done and make the spoon even more interesting.

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wev
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Posts: 4121
Registered: Apr 99

iconnumber posted 11-01-2011 03:13 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for wev     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I was looking at some countermarked coins and one caught my eye because of this post. I think it really does represent a dagger in hand. The N • YORk punch is familiar, but I just can't place it at the moment

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OWK

Posts: 69
Registered: Apr 2005

iconnumber posted 11-01-2011 05:38 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for OWK     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The "N.YORK" mark is one used by the partnership of Foster and Richards (John Foster and Thomas Richards) in 1815.


The circle is complete.

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wev
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Posts: 4121
Registered: Apr 99

iconnumber posted 11-01-2011 06:19 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for wev     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Shoot -- of course. Thanks

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