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 American Silver before sterling
 Coin silver teaspoon questions
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SusanT Posts: 104 |
posted 06-07-2006 07:10 PM
  
[26-1085] I’m trying to date and to verify the maker of a coin silver teaspoon that passed down to me from my gggrandmother Sally SNELL CHISM (b. 1801 Ashford, CT, md. 1831, died 1874 Ashford, CT). The spoon carries the monogram: SS, which means she got it before she married in 1831 like possibly a wedding gift. This is only one of her coin spoons. The others with same shape and monogram were passed down through her other children’s lines. The maker’s mark is: “STORRS”. What I’ve found on this mark: 1. On American Silversmiths “S” Nathan Storrs Nathan Storrs It is listed as an alternative mark for Nathan Storrs: 2. Ensko has only the “N.STORR” mark for N. Storrs with the info of 1792, Northampton, MA 3. Kovel has only the “N.STORRS” mark, the same birth and death info and the following: 4. Wyler’s Old Silver in the American Silversmith’s Marks section has the “N.STORRS” mark with New York, NY, 1825. 5. On a Scientific Instrument Makers website, Nathan Storrs is listed as a clockmaker; same birth and death info; located: apprenticed to Jacob Sargeant in 1791, Springfield, MA; NYC; and Northampton, MA; and later in partnership with Baldwin (1792-1794) and Cook(1827-1834). He is credited with making a “Surveyor's Compass = Heritage Foundation, Deerfield, Mass”. Nothing is said about silversmithing. The above info seems to indicate the spoon was made before 1794 for after that time Nathan Storrs was in partnerships with others and using different marks. Is this the mark of Nathan Storrs? TIA. --- Susan IP: Logged |
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witzhall Posts: 124 |
posted 06-07-2006 10:02 PM
Hi, Susan - I think there are two possibilities: first, it looks to me as if the mark on your spoon might be "N. STORRS," the N being very worn. I can't really tell. But if I'm imagining the N, Fales shows a "STORRS" mark in the Heritage Foundation book, and Belden describes a "STORRS" in a rounded rectangle, although there's no picture. So, it's quite possible that between 1794 and 1825 or 1826 Mr. Storrs made this spoon on his own; my guess would be around 1815. Hope this is helpful. IP: Logged |
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SusanT Posts: 104 |
posted 06-08-2006 01:09 PM
Witzhall! >...mark on your spoon might be "N. STORRS," the N being very worn...< You're right!!! I never noticed it before. I bet I was too close to it and now with it posted the "trees" are a bit farther away where I can see the whole "forest". That rectangular certainly extends left of the "S" and the top of an "N" is peeking through. Thank you!! >...quite possible that between 1794 and 1825 or 1826 Mr. Storrs made this spoon on his own; my guess would be around 1815...< This morning I "studied" the "Spoons" section of Kovel's American Silver Marks, pp.93-95. This spoon meets the criteria of shape and style for the ones shown in the 1825 era, 2nd grouping. It has an elliptical-shape bowl, a diamond-shape notched at the neck, and a fiddle-shape handle with rounded corners, arched back, and bent down tip. I'm going to date it c1825. Its profile was a match to the pics. At first I thought it had gotten bent through the ages, but now on seeing the arched backs and bent down tips examples in Kovel's, this spoon fits right in. Thank you for the reply! --- Susan [This message has been edited by SusanT (edited 06-08-2006).] IP: Logged |
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swarter Moderator Posts: 2920 |
posted 06-08-2006 01:42 PM
Flynt and Fales show half-a-dozen similar marks for Nathan Storrs (see wev's site for pictures of a couple of these). This mark is almost certainly one of Nathan's, although wev shows other less well known silversmiths with the same last name (he has no marks for any of those). Nathan Storrs began working aroune 1891 and retired in 1833 (dying in 1839). This style of spoon was not made in the 18th Century, but could have been made anytime in the 19th before 1840, even though it looks fairly early, as Wishall suggests. The fact that he was in various partnerships does not negate the possibility that his name alone could appear on a spoon at any time. Furthermore, it is not unusual for an American silversmith to have worked in allied trades, unlike their more specialized English counterparts. It was a fact of life in the colonies and the Early Republic that, other than for a few in the larger cities, there was not enough demand for silver to keep most silversmiths occupied at that task full time. Most were skilled metalsmiths and worked as clockmakers and instrument makers as well (some worked in pewter, or even made guns, built steam engines, and even bridges). As one traces individuals through censuses and tax lists, their occupations on which they were taxed changed from year to year, depending on their taxable inventories and source of income, many most often being listed first as silversmiths and then as watchmakers (although I doubt any ever made a watch -- they were kept busy cleaning watches and clocks because of the dust and dirt raised on unpaved streets and country roads). IP: Logged |
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SusanT Posts: 104 |
posted 06-11-2006 10:04 AM
>This mark is almost certainly one of Nathan's,< Thank you, Swarter. Wev certainly does have a wonderful silver db!! >The fact that he was in various partnerships does not negate the possibility that his name alone could appear on a spoon at any time.< Thank you for confirming this info. I wasn't sure if someone in partnership/business with another would still be making something on their own. >.... it is not unusual for an American silversmith to have worked in allied trades, unlike their more specialized English counterparts ... not enough demand for silver to keep most silversmiths occupied at that task full time ... they were kept busy cleaning watches and clocks because of the dust and dirt raised on unpaved streets and country roads ...< Very interesting! Thank you for all the very informative post. --- Susan [This message has been edited by SusanT (edited 06-11-2006).] IP: Logged |
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