Souvenir spoon: North Point
New York, New York
c. 1894
Maker
Dominick & Haff (1872-1928)
Hennegen Bates Co., retailer (1857-c. 1955)
Measurements
4-1/4 in x 7/8 in x 5/8 in
Materials
Silver with gold-washed bowl
Credit Line
Historic Odessa Foundation, The David Wilson Mansion, Inc.
Accession Number
1971.1143
Inscription
“NORTH POINT / 1814” is in the bowl.
“BALTI / MORE” is on the handle back below the engraved date “Mch.14, 1894”. “STERLING” and “HENNIGEN.BATES & CO” with Dominich and Haff touchmarks is on the back of the handle shaft.
Provenance
Ex coll. Mrs. E. Tatnall (Mary Corbit) Warner
Comments
North Point references a battle between American and British troops on September 12, 1814, when the British were advancing against Baltimore, having already burned Washington, DC. North Point is a peninsula between the Patapsco and Back Rivers where they empty into Chesapeake Bay. The Americans lost ground that day but were able to delay the British to great advantage.
The spoon handle has a large turtle (or terrapin) with three oysters, all amid foliated vines.
The date of March 14, 1894, engraved on the handle back, was likely added by Mary Corbit Warner. The date suggests a likely time that the spoon was made.
The retailer Hennigen Bates was located in Baltimore, Maryland.
