Spoon, 1771-1772
Photo by Peter Harholdt, 2004
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Photo by Peter Harholdt, 2004

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The spoon has an elliptical bowl. The joint of the handle stem and the bowl is reinforced by a single drop and pronounced shoulders. The stem is rounded, widening to a down-turned tip. The upper surface of the tip is engraved with the crest from Franklin's coat of arms. This is the same crest that appears on The Franklin Institute's fish slice.

On the reverse of the handle stem are the London hallmarks for 1771-72, and a maker's mark that has been called that of Elias Cachart. Because the mark is very similar to that one used by Ebenezer Coker, it is sometimes difficult to distinguish between them. For that reason both men have been listed as possible makers until a definitive answer can be given.

It is useful to know that the same mark (by whichever smith) appears on both surviving pieces of marked English table flatware believed to have been purchased by Franklin.

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