u/Icy_Mathematician527

Spoon of the Week Episode 14
Today a fascinating piece of American history
This is a late-19th-century commemorative souvenir spoon honoring the USS Maine and its captain, Charles Sigsbee.
The sinking of the USS Maine was a pivotal catalyst that propelled the United States into the Spanish-American War in 1898, famously rallied by the cry: "Remember the Maine, to hell with Spain!"
Here is a breakdown of the specific details and historical context captured on your spoon:

1. The Handle: Captain Sigsbee
   • The Image: The top of the handle features a relief portrait of a man in a military cap, explicitly labeled "CAPTAIN SIGSBEE".
   • Who he was: Charles Dwight Sigsbee was the captain of the USS Maine. He survived the explosion and famously sent a telegram urging calm and a thorough investigation before the public rushed to judgment—though yellow journalism quickly overrode his caution.
   • The Symbolism: Below his portrait is an American shield featuring stars and stripes, intertwined with a ship's anchor.
2. The Bowl: The Sinking of the USS Maine
   • The Image: The bowl of the spoon shows a detailed engraving of a battleship.
   • The Text: Curving along the left side, it reads: "BLOWN UP IN HAVANA HARBOR FEB. 15, 1898".
   • The Event: On February 15, 1898, a massive explosion ripped through the USS Maine while it was stationed in Havana, Cuba (then a Spanish colony), killing 266 sailors. While modern historical consensus points toward an accidental internal coal bunker fire, the American public at the time blamed a Spanish mine.
3. The Back: "Old Grist Mill"
   • The Mark: On the reverse side of the handle, it is stamped: "COMP. OLD GRIST MILL".
   • What it means: This indicates the spoon was likely a promotional item or premium giveaway. Old Grist Mill was a highly popular brand of health-focused wheat coffee, flour, and dog biscuits manufactured by the Potter & Wrightington company of Boston in the late 1890s and early 1900s. Companies during this era frequently offered high-quality souvenir spoons in exchange for product coupons or small fees to capitalize on patriotic fervor.
   Material & Value
   The spoon appears to be silver-plated (common for advertising premiums of the era), though it has developed a heavy, golden-brown tarnish (patina) over the years.
   While these spoons were mass-produced to meet the intense public demand for war souvenirs in 1898, they remain highly collectible today among Spanish-American War enthusiasts, advertising collectors, and souvenir spoon hobbyists.

So another spoon from my inherited collection

Spoon of the week episode 12
This is a beautiful example of a Victorian-era souvenir spoon. These were incredibly popular collectibles in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, often used to commemorate local landmarks or industries:

1. The Subject: Sugar Factory, West Bay City, Mich.
   The bowl of the spoon features an engraved or embossed image of a sugar beet factory. West Bay City (which merged with Bay City in 1905) was a major hub for the Michigan sugar industry.
   • Historical Context: The factory depicted is likely the Michigan Sugar Company or the West Bay City Sugar Company, both of which were established right around the time indicated on your spoon (late 1890s).
   • The Gold Wash: The bowl has a “gold wash” (vermeil) finish. This was a common decorative technique used to prevent the silver from tarnishing when it came into contact with acidic foods, though on souvenir spoons, it was mostly for aesthetic flair.
2. The Markings (The Hallmarks)
   The back of the handle provides the most important information regarding its composition and maker:
   • “STERLING”: This confirms the spoon is 92.5% pure silver.
   • “925/1000”: This is simply a numerical reinforcement of the Sterling standard.
   • The Maker’s Mark: To the left of “STERLING,” there is a small crest. This appears to be the mark for Paye & Baker Mfg. Co. (based in North Attleboro, Massachusetts). They were prolific producers of souvenir spoons during this era.
3. The Personal Touch
   The back of the handle is engraved with “Dec 25” 1900”.
   • This indicates the spoon was likely a Christmas gift in the year 1900.
   • Souvenir spoons were often given as holiday gifts or “stocking stuffers” for collectors who participated in the “souvenir spoon craze” that swept the United States at the turn of the century.
   Value and Care
   • Value: Generally, sterling silver souvenir spoons of this type and era typically sell for between $30 and $60, depending on the specific collector’s interest in Michigan industrial history. The Christmas 1900 engraving adds a nice “provenance” or bit of history to the piece.

🎥 Spoon of the Week – Episode 11

This week, I’ve got something really special…
A set of beautiful antique sterling silver souvenir spoons.

These were hugely popular collectibles in the United States from the late 1800s through to the 1920s — and honestly, you can see why. The detail on these is incredible.

Now, based on the hallmarks on the back, these were made by the Watson Company out of Massachusetts.
You’ll spot their signature marks — a crown, a “W”, and a lion — stamped right into the handle.

Let’s take a closer look at each one.

First up — New Jersey, Atlantic City.
The bowl shows this really nice ocean scene with sailboats, and it’s clearly marked Atlantic City.
Then up on the handle, you’ve got the New Jersey state seal with the motto “Liberty and Prosperity.”
And just below that, there’s a lovely little boardwalk scene, plus cattails running down the stem — a nod to the coastal wetlands.

Next — Virginia, Richmond.
The bowl here features the George Washington Monument in Capitol Square.
On the front of the handle, you’ve got the Virginia state seal and the motto “Sic Semper Tyrannis.”
And underneath that, there are agricultural details like a tobacco leaf and a peanut.

But this one’s extra special — because the back is what collectors call a multi-view handle.
You’ve got the State Capitol, the Jefferson Davis Mansion, and the Lee Monument — all on one spoon.

And finally — Pennsylvania, Harrisburg.
The bowl shows the State Capitol building.
The handle’s topped with the state coat of arms, and you’ll also spot William Penn, the Liberty Bell, and even mountain laurel — which is the state flower.

Now in terms of value —
They’re all marked “STERLING,” so that means they’re 92.5% pure silver.

Pieces like these typically go for around 20 to 45 dollars each, depending on the detail and desirability —
And multi-view pieces, like that Virginia spoon, usually carry a bit more interest for collectors.

Honestly, these are a perfect mix of history, craftsmanship, and collectability.

Let me know — which one’s your favourite this week?

This is a fascinating piece of history you have there! It appears to be a souvenir “Collector” spoon from the late 19th or early 20th century. Based on the markings and the imagery, here is a breakdown of what you’re looking at:

1. The Hallmarks (The “Backstory”)

The markings on the back of the bowl tell us exactly where it came from and what it’s made of:

• “800”: This indicates the silver purity. It is 800/1000 parts silver (80% silver), a common standard for “Continental Silver” used in Germany and France during that era. It is slightly lower than Sterling silver (which is 925).

• “IMPORTE D’ALLEMAGNE”: This is French for “Imported from Germany.” * The Pine Branch/Fish Bone Symbol: This is likely a maker’s mark for a German silversmith (such as Koch & Bergfeld or similar firms from Hanau/Pforzheim) who specialized in exporting souvenir ware to the French market.

2. The Imagery (The “Trocadéro”)

The bowl of the spoon features an embossed view of “Paris - Le Trocadéro.”

• The building shown is the Palais du Trocadéro, which was built specifically for the 1878 World’s Fair (Exposition Universelle).

• Historical Note: This building no longer exists in this form! It was largely demolished and replaced by the Palais de Chaillot for the 1937 International Exposition. Seeing this specific twin-towered design helps date the spoon’s inspiration to between 1878 and 1937.

3. The Finial (The “Bust”)

The top of the handle features a bust of a man in a Bicorne hat, which is the iconic silhouette of Napoleon Bonaparte. This was a very popular motif for Parisian souvenirs, emphasizing French national pride.

Listed on eBay (link in pinned post or bio).

#SouvenirSpoons #VintageSouvenirs #french #TravelHistory #spoonoftheweek

WWI German Iron Cross Spoon

Today I’m going to show you an interesting historical item — a World War One German souvenir spoon.

At the top of the handle, you can see the Iron Cross marked “1914.”

This was a well-known German military symbol during the First World War.

However, this spoon is not a military award.

Items like this were commonly made as souvenirs or patriotic keepsakes during the war period.

Looking closer at the back of the spoon, there is a hallmark stamped “800.”

This tells us the spoon is made from 80% silver, which was a standard silver grade used in Germany at the time.

There is also a small maker’s mark next to the “800” stamp, although it’s quite worn and difficult to identify precisely.

Based on the design, materials, and markings, this piece was most likely made between 1914 and the early post-war years.

In terms of value, these types of souvenir spoons are collectible but fairly common.

In its current condition, this one would typically be worth around £30 to £50.

Overall, it’s a nice piece of history — combining silver craftsmanship with a clear connection to the First World War.

If you’re collecting militaria or antique silver, it’s a solid and authentic example from the era.

I’m presently in the process of trying to rehome my late mother’s expansive collection of collectable & vintage souvenir teaspoons from around the world.

I’m using it as a grief journey and am hoping to find collectors looking to add to there collection.

So far I e listed over 1200 on eBay & have approximately another 3000+ still to add, if anyone is interested please contact me or feel free to visit their eBay page