Atlanta, Ga., Nov. 22. — Judge Newman has issued a restraining order against jeweler A. L. Delkin, forbidding him to sell or to expose for sale a certain spoon which bears a peculiar mark and which is known in trade circles as the ‘watermelon spoon.’ This order was granted on the motion of C. W. Crankshaw, another jeweler, who claims exclusive ownership of the design. The petition was presented to Judge Newman Monday afternoon. On hearing the allegations of the bill Judge Newman granted the prayer, subject to final action Saturday morning.
In his petition the aggressive jeweler avers that several months ago he had the spoon copyrighted as a work of art, and holds the papers which are necessary to establish his claim. He invented the design himself after much pains and labor and felt that he was entitled to protection from the government after he had already paid for it in advance. He further prayed in the petition for Judge Newman to direct Delkin, in appearing before him, to make a complete statement of the number of spoons already sold and the number which he still had on hand. It was furthermore alleged in the petition that Delkin was involved and was doing business for parties whose names were not familiar to him. He had no other means of protecting his rights except by resorting to the courts and asking for the process of injunction.
The bowl of the spoon represents a watermelon sliced in two. The representation is a good one, showing not only the individual seed of the melon, but the delicate fibers of the meat. Across the bridge of the spoon the word “ Atlanta” is printed in raised capital letters. The spoon is mounted with a negro’s face, expressive of intense satisfaction.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 27th November 1895
A beautifully-designed and very handsome spoon is the official souvenir spoon of the Omaha, Neb., Exposition, made by the retail firm of Geo. W. Ryan & Co., Omaha. In the bowl is a well-executed engraving of a bird’s-eye view of the Exposition, or of some particular building, with name of same. On the handle is the word “Omaha.” On end of handle is a portrait of a composite female head, made from forty-eight photographs. Two of these photographs, representing two of the prettiest young women in his State, were furnished by each of the Governors of the twenty-four Trans-Mississippi States. The die-work is excellent, and the spoon, in its entirety, is very beautiful, a credit to the designers and to the Exposition.
At last Plymouth has a fine souvenir spoon. B. D. Lowing, of that city, has recently produced a spoon containing a view of the famous Plvmouth Rock and the many other points of interest in town, The success which has already attended its introduction promises well for future sales. This is merely another example of the possibilities open to the jeweler, when he cares to hustle and exercise his ingenuity.