This is marked Sterling and RJ Wilson, but that could be a retailer mark. If he's the retailer, is this a recognizable pattern by some maker?
RJ Wilson? Maker or retailer?
Re: RJ Wilson? Maker or retailer?
There was a Robert J Wilson jeweler in Philadelphia, PA from at least 1890 to 1900 who seems a good prospect for the retailer.
Re: RJ Wilson? Maker or retailer?
Looking at those marks, It looks to me like a retailer's mark. That's just my gut.
Re: RJ Wilson? Maker or retailer?
The following out-of-town dealers were registered in New York during the past week:
....... R. J. Wilson, Philadelphia, Pa.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 4th October 1893
Trev.
....... R. J. Wilson, Philadelphia, Pa.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 4th October 1893
Trev.
Re: RJ Wilson? Maker or retailer?
Thanks for the recent replies (a nice surprise). Is calling someone a dealer the same as calling them a retailer? I posted this because besides being a name I couldn't find anywhere, I was impressed by the quality of the hand decoration - especially on a mere spoon (and one late enough to be stamped Sterling). I'm still curious, therefore, who could have made and decorated it, but I guess that will remain a mystery. Or did retailers sometimes have staff to decorate blanks from silvermakers?