Spoon

c. 1866

Maker

Dominick & Haff (1872-1928)
J. E. Caldwell & Co. retailer (1848-2003)

Measurements

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

Materials

Silver

Credit Line

Historic Odessa Foundation, The David Wilson Mansion, Inc.

Accession Number

1971.1197

Inscription

“J?CW / and / EAW / Jan 3 1866” is engraved in the bowl.  “Jany 3rd 1891” is engraved on the face of the handle; “M.C.W.” is engraved on the back of the handle.  Touchmarks of Dominick & Haff, “STERLING,” and “J.E.CALDWELL & CO.” are stamped into the back of the handle shaft.

Condition Notes

The spoon is tarnished.

Provenance

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

Comments

Although catalogued among the souvenir spoons collected by Mary Corbit Warner, this spoon is not a souvenir.  Instead, it is a finely made piece of flatware by a good firm and retailed by Caldwell of Philadelphia.  It appears to bear two engraving campaigns—one inside the bowl and the other being the 1891 date on the front of the handle and the MCW initials on the back.  MCW stands for Mary Corbit Warner, who likely had them engraved with the 1891 date at that time.  The bowl initials are not identified.  They may represent a wedding date, possibly for a member of the Warner family.