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Looking for help concerning the initials on this spoon. I believe it has 1888 date and Helsinki marks.

Yes, it's Helsinki 1888. PA is Petter Airaksinen (1871-1898) who was a subcontractor for RM Otto Roland Mellin (1860-1907).

Correct and in addition, the maker (PA) is Petter Airaksinen born 1847 and dead 1933, active 1871-1898. He worked as an apprentice in his home town Kuopio (FI). Later as journeyman in St. Petersburg (RU), where he graduated as master goldsmith. He collaborated with several well known goldsmiths in St.P among them also Finnish masters Filander and Tillander as well as with court supplier Morosov. He returned to Helsinki in 1876. There he began his long collaboration with Mellin for about 20 years as head of the company's workshop. The punch (RM) shows that. It belongs to the son of Roland Mellin i.e. Otto Roland Mellin 1834-1907. Their co-operation came to an end in 1894. As from 1879 as an independent contractor in his own workshop.

Thank you both for the information. This is the nicest spoon of this type that I have owned, so it's great to have all of this knowledge.