Souvenir spoon: Leather Stocking

1890-1900

Maker

Probably Howard Sterling Company (1878-1902)

Measurements

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

Materials

Silver

Credit Line

Historic Odessa Foundation, The David Wilson Mansion, Inc.

Accession Number

1971.1231

Inscription

“LEATHER STOCKING” in raised letters runs down the front of the handle.  Touchmarks probably for the Howard Sterling Co., “STERLING”, and "C.R. BURCH" are stamped into the back of the handle.

Provenance

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

Comments

The individual depicted at the tip of the handle is Natty Bumppo, the fictional character that appears in all five novels by James Fenimore Cooper (1789-1851) known collectively as the Leatherstocking Tales.  Bumppo, also known as Hawkeye, was the child of white parents raised by Delaware Indians. He is shown on the spoon holding a musket and accompanied by his hunting dog Hector.

The identity of C. R. Burch, whose name is stamped into the back of the handle, is unknown.