Souvenir spoon: Alaska Yukon EXPO

1909

Maker

Joseph Mayer & Brothers (1897-1920)

Measurements

5-3/4 x 1-1/4 x 7/8

Materials

Silver with gold-washed bowl

Credit Line

Historic Odessa Foundation, The David Wilson Mansion, Inc.

Accession Number

1971.1042

Inscription

“WILLIAM H. SEWARD / FATHER / OF / ALASKA / THE ORIGINAL / SEATTLE” is cast in relief on the front of the handle; “MANUFACTURES BLDG / A.Y.P. / EX PO” is cast in relief inside the bowl.

“OFFICIAL SOUVENIR / ALASKA YUKON PACIFIC / EXPO / APPROVED / J. E. Chilberg / PRESIDENT / J. A. NADEAU / DIRECTOR GENERAL” is cast in relief on the underside of the bowl.

“ALASKA YUKON PACIFIC EXPO / STERLING” is cast in relief along the underside of the handle; "PAT. NO. / 38695” and “MB” with crossed tools is cast in relief at the underside junction of the bowl and handle.

Provenance

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

Comments

This spoon, an "official souvenir," is covered with words, front and back and all about the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition, held in 1909 in Seattle.  Foremost on the spoon are the “Manufactures Building” inside the bowl and, on the handle, a profile of William Seward above one of Chief Si’ahl (1780-1866), leader of the six local tribes on central Puget Sound.  The back of the spoon has many images intended to evoke the variety and expanse of those different people and cultures engaged in this World’s Fair. The underside of the bowl has “approval” signatures of the fair president and director below “OFFICIAL SOUVENIR.”

Bibliography

Accumulation & Display:  Mass Marketing Household Goods in America, 1880-1920 (The Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum, 1986), no. 161, p. 129.