Question about spoon (w.s)...

[vino15586]

I'm of course the type who has to know EVERYTHING, but what woman isnt. To start off i'd like to introduce myself. My name is jessica and I enjoy treasure hunting I guess you could say. I even own a metal detector cuz I love finding and researching my new found treasures.. even if most of them are what some might call crap.

Anyways.. I went to an auction a while back and in a lot of crap (yes it really was crap) there was this one spoon. It appears to be sterling silver with the initials JC maybe on the front. I suppose I'll never know who that is or was. I've added a picture of the marks on the back. W.S (but the dot is more centered between the two letters) and a lion a joker the letter lowercase q and a mans head.

I've done some research and keep coming back to two names.. william sumner and some other name i cant really remember right now. The problem is when I research their stamp so to speak it's either not in a squared box or the q doesnt exsist or theres no dot. Catch my drift?

Any input would be appreciated. And great to be part of a online community. I hope to visit often.




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[dognose]

Hi Jessica,

Welcome to the Forum.

Nice find, William Sumner, London, 1791.

The 'Joker' is a crowned leopard's head.

Regards Trev.
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[vino15586]

Thanks. Ok so I think I get this now. The letter represents the year... Yeah i'd say it was a pretty good find considering i left somewhat disappointed that i ended up with a bunch of crap, lol.

Thanks again!
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[STEVE LAPIN]

Hi there,
I think you'll find these marks at the following URL:
http://www.925-1000.com/dlLondon.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The lion is the sterling mark for .925, the "joker" is the London city mark and the head is George III
As for the maker's mark it looks more like Wildman Smith:
http://www.925-1000.com/dlLondon12.html#M" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

All these things are typical British silver marks and can be found at:
http://www.925-1000.com/british_marks.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Now if I could just get someone to help me with my French pieces. . .
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[dognose]

Hi,

An attribution of this mark to Wildman Smith would be extremely doubtful. Smith was a haftmaker, who entered just the one mark on the 16th March 1781, whereas Sumner was one of the most prolific spoonmakers in London, who entered several marks, with and without pellets, between 1784 and 1803.

Trev.
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[kojak]

Hi Folks,

Having some Sumner's silver I can concur with Trev's view - the first sharp pointed upward stroke of the W follows Sumners mark rather than shallower one favoured by Smith.

Kenny
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