Souvenir spoon: Richfield Springs

c. 1902

Maker

Whiting Manufacturing Company (c. 1866-1924)

Measurements

4-3/8 in x 7/8 in x 1/2 in

Materials

Silver

Credit Line

Historic Odessa Foundation, The David Wilson Mansion, Inc.

Accession Number

1971.1183

Inscription

“M.C.W.” is engraved in the bowl.  “Richfield Springs.” is in relief on the back of the handle.  “STERLING” with a maker’s touch is on the back of the handle near the bowl.

Condition Notes

The tip of the bowl is bent upward slightly.

Provenance

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

Comments

This spoon differs from almost all other souvenir spoons in two ways:  First, the name of the place it celebrates is on the back of the handle, thus undermining its function as an object of display.  Second, it curves or undulates across the plane of the handle and bowl.  Most souvenir spoon handles are relatively flat.

The place named on this spoon is Richfield Springs, a spa resort located in the center of New York State. In the summer of 1902, the town was served by a trolley line running from Mohawk in the north to Oneonta in the south.  It is very probably that that event occasioned production of this spoon.

The initials “M.C.W.” engraved in the bowl are those of Mary Corbit Warner.