Demitasse “souvenir” spoon: Bedford Springs
Providence, Rhode Island
1885
Maker
Gorham Manufacturing Co. (1831-1986)
Measurements
3-7/8 in x 3/4 in x 1/2 in
Materials
Silver with a gold-washed bowl
Credit Line
Historic Odessa Foundation, The David Wilson Mansion, Inc.
Accession Number
1971.1179
Inscription
“Bedford Springs” is engraved in the bowl.
Provenance
Ex coll. Mrs. E. Tatnall (Mary Corbit) Warner
Comments
The Gorham touchmarks are a lion passant on the left, an anchor in the middle, and “G” at the right. The mark above is a date letter for 1885, identified as a boar’s head. The “5” below references a size or other designator for this demitasse spoon.
This gilded spoon, having a handle twisted half way along the shaft, was among many of this pattern produced by Gorham. Some survive unmarked, and others have other place names engraved on them. As such, they were not produced specifically as souvenir spoons.
Bedford Springs was known for its hotel, mineral springs, and healthy outdoor life throughout the 19th century, notably serving as a summer retreat for several US presidents.
