• Archive through November 14, 2002 November 14 - 01:08 am

• Archive through March 06, 2006 March 06 - 10:47 pm

WE HAVE AN UNUSED ROCHAMBEAU 1780 SPOON BY GORHAM WITH THE E ANCHOR P AND N16 MARKS. BETTER TO KEEP AS A CONVERSATION PIECE OR SELL AT MY GARAGE SALE FOR $100 OR WHAT DOES ANYONE THINK? meantime I've offered it to a descendant of Bowen for $25. Guess they will be getting a good deal if they take me up on it. Thanks Bill Carner.

I have a Gorham E anchor P YC244 two fish in the center with scallops on each side, a very unique silver piece, does anyone have any info. on this item. Thanks

Bill-
I have a large Gorham silver platter. Under the silver mark there four other marks, first are small picture, the other two are "N" followed by a "S". Under that is "GORHAM". Under that is Y1317. Under that is 20*1N. The "N" is underlined. What do I have and possibly the value.

We have a large Gorham serving spoon. The front side of the spoon is engraved with the words "Rochambeau" and "To Lt. Gov Jabez Bowen", "Po. J", 1780.

The back side has the Gorham name, a symbol of E-Anchor-P, the number N 16 and a family crest of arms that appears to be from the Rochambeau family.

Item appears to be in very good condition, we are curious as to its value.

I was given a tea pot that was in an estate that someone purshased. This pot has an acorn and GORHAM 24 oz and EP on this but the pot was a gift to the old Park Lane hotel and I do not know if I should keep it or is it junk. I do thank the old lady who gifted me with it but, I know nothing of these matters! Please some advice?

Hi-have looked everywhere; I have 5 meat forks with 3 symbols, BFN,a Shield, and 100. Previous owner said they were sterling, but not marked as. Have a photo. Thanks, Tom

I have 2 of these spoons, but with slight differences. They both have "GORHAM" and another stamp containing "E," an anchor, and "P." However, one also has "N 16." And, the one without the "N 16" is missing the 'n' at the end of 'Bowen' on the inscription.

What's the meaning of the additional 'N 16' or lack of it? Is the value different with or without that? Is the value diminished on the one missing the 'n' from Bowen?

Thanks so much for all of the info posted here - most helpful!

Barb

Barb

The mark with an anchor and the letters "E" and "P" indicate that the spoon is Gorham silver plate, not sterling. The names and numbers probably at a pattern name, however it would really be necessary for an appraiser to examine it to be sure. Usually silver plated spoons would have little value.

If you wish to find an appraiser near you, search our data base by going to our website www.isa-appraisers.org and follow the "Find an Appraiser" link.

Even though they have little value, enjoy using your fine spoons.

Bill Carner, ISA CAPP
Birmingham, AL

we just found one of those spoons along with other silverware is it worth anything????

We just found a bunch of silverware and a spoon of "Rochambeau to Lt. Gov. Jabez Bowen, R. I. 1780.” Does this spoon have any type of value?

Annabell

There was a thread about this on this forum several months ago. Sorry you missed it.

This is a reproduction of a famous stuffing spoon given in 1780. Several companies reproduced it. I would have to see the mark to determine exactly who made it. Most are silver plate and made by Gorham Silver Company about 1960. Usually these sell on internet market or auction for about $50.00-$75.00.

If you need more information you may wish to let one of our appraiser check it out for you. You can find someone near you by going to our web site (www.isa-appraisers.org) and follow the link for "Find an Appraiser"

Thanks for writing ISA

Bill Carner
Birmingham, AL

A 2002 inquirey about silver was answered 'there was no plate in 1780'. The correct answer should have been 1) Silver was referred to as 'Plate' in 1780 2) plate silver and silver plated are two different things 3) there is a sheffield plate. It is a sheet of copper sandwiched between sheets of silver and came about roughly in the 1780-1790 time period.

Darwin

I probably gave the answer, and I was not trying to be technical! If so I would have told her that the sandwiched process actually began in 1743 and Sheffield plate was in use by 1770.

Most people call the process "Sheffield plate" to distinguish it from silverplate. I guess the technical term should have been electroplate! That method was discovered in 1800 and developed in 1805. It really was not perfected until mid 19th century using the generally accepted term "silverplate" The word plate doesn't work either because almost any metal can be "electroplated" to another.

I'll try to be more accurate in the future!

Bill