The commonly known "Wholesaler" mark of Arm/"R"/Eagle now found linked to "Retailer" mark of E.Cook (sans cartouche). If it is Erastus Cook of Rochester New York 1793-1864 is the main question. Whether the "R" is linked to Rochester is another. TIA
Return of the Magnificent "R": "E.Cook"
Re: Return of the Magnificent "R": "E.Cook"
Note this prior sample found in Rochester but bearing no retailer names: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=29071
Re: Return of the Magnificent "R": "E.Cook"
There is a known apprenticeship under Erastus Cook, so this would seem to confer he was a maker (of something): https://www.smpub.com/ubb/Forum19/HTML/000481.html
Re: Return of the Magnificent "R": "E.Cook"
Pages on Cook working history: http://freepages.rootsweb.com/~silversm ... /54695.htm
Re: Return of the Magnificent "R": "E.Cook"
For the A.H. Nash link: only one Lester Alonzo Nash born August 1836 of unknown parentage/siblings in Rochester. Died 1918. This would post date the cholera epidemic and no Nash's are found on the list of deceased for that event. No other Nash family records found so far for Rochester in pre1860 era.
Re: Return of the Magnificent "R": "E.Cook"
Pages on James P. Steele Rochester 1834-, whose price list is included, and has generally been credited with use of this mark: https://www.americansilversmiths.org/ma ... 137881.htm