Early American Monograms/Cyphers

[Pepperonicini]

Hi all,

I have a question about early American monograms (pre ~1800). I have heard that middle names were rare, but I feel like I often see three letters in the monograms in this early style of monogram.

In what order are the letters in regards to a name? Is it possible the top letter is not part of a name, but something else?

I found this important spoon which I am lucky enough to have also found the logs of the silversmith who made it. I am assuming the first and last name are D and L. I searched through all of the books and only found a few entries for someone with DL initials. Only one of them had an order for a spoon and even more specifically it was a table spoon with a 'sypher', which is what I have here.

But I can find no records that support anything with a C in his name. His mothers maiden name began with a C but that is it. I thought it could be a military rank but he was listed as a sergeant in the revolutionary war.

If anyone could provide some general guidance about these old monograms that would be great.

Thank you!

[dognose]

Hi,

Presuming that the the traditions of Georgian engraving are the same as would have been used in the UK at the time, then this is typical of engraving that was used at the time of a marriage. The 'C' indicates the surname. the 'D' the husband's Christian name, and the 'L' the wife's Christian name.

Trev.

[wev]

That would be the normal convention in to the early 19th century -- surname over husband/wife
Who is the maker?

[Traintime]

Curiosity…might it ever be a rank or status abbreviation like Captain, Commodore, or Cat Catcher etcetera, etcetera, etcetera?

[Aguest]

:::: Six stripes of descending length is a bit unusual for a marriage monogram, I recall seeing a plus sign and that area left blank, but does this seem a bit unusual for a marriage monogram? :::: (I see a couple of revolutionary war flags with six-stripes, but that could be a coincidence). ::::::

[wev]

I have seen many different separators on spoons of this era -- sprigs, leaves, curlicues, dots, diamonds, stars, etc. Some may have been specific (matching and existing pieces), family meaningful, or simply the whim of the engraver.

And if I may ask the OP again -- who is the maker? That would certainly have a bearing.

[Aguest]

:::: Yes I am intrigued as well & how did you find a ledger of the silversmith's sales? ::::::: In which book was this silversmith's ledger published? :