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I have a tablespoon with an anchor which stands for Birmingham. This I know. To the left of the anchor is a lion facing right not left. What does this mean? To the right of the anchor is the date mark, which from doing research looks like it was made in 1855. However, it is stamped "STERLING" next to the date mark. This is on the neck of the spoon. Further up on the spoon it is stamped Patent 1900, which I"m sure is for the pattern. Also on the ladle part it is stamped/embossed with an "A". Can anyone help me date this spoon (circa 1900) and just who is "A"? The date mark is throwing me elsewhere. Thanks
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Sounds like the mark of an American firm called the Gorham Corporation, Providence, Rhode Island.
http://www.925-1000.com/Gorham_Date_Code.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Pat.
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