Souvenir spoon: “H.M.S. BLAKE”

1892-1895

Maker

Julius Cornelius (c. 1875-1905)

Measurements

4-1/2 in x 7/8 in x 5/8 in

Materials

Silver with a gold-washed bowl

Credit Line

Historic Odessa Foundation, The David Wilson Mansion, Inc.

Accession Number

1971.1161

Inscription

“H.M.S. BLAKE” is in the bowl.  “J.CORNELIUS” and “STERLING” are stamped into the back of the handle.

Provenance

Ex coll. Mrs. E. Tatnall (Mary Corbit) Warner

Comments

The spoon celebrates the HMS Blake, launched from Chatham, England, in 1889 and commissioned in 1892. It continued in service until 1922. The spoon, marked by Julius Cornelius (dates unknown) of Halifax, was likely made there between 1892 and 1895, when the Blake served as flagship of the North American and West Indies Squadron.