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Another R. Wallace mark? 1835 (?)

Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2008 6:24 pm
by JulieRL
This is a baby spoon 4.25 " long, I know it needs cleaning but... I realize it is R. Wallace but is not one of the marks posted. According to Replacements Ltd. R Wallace made spoons from 1833 using the nickel alloy formula - Is that what this is? The is no silver plate or sterling marks at all.

BTW: I love this site! I have been acquiring vintage silver and silver plate for many years but have never really spent anytime with detailed identifications Now,I would like to pass some of the piece on to the next generation as little gifts and would like to tell them facts and details so that they will appreciate the work that goes into pieces just as I do with their family genealogy.

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Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2008 8:28 pm
by 2209patrick
Hello and welcome.

Robert Wallace began producing nickel silver spoons in 1835 for other firms.
Wallace did not begin stamping their own trademark on them until 1897. By this time the name of the company was R. Wallace & Sons Mfg.

Not sure how long R. Wallace & Sons used the 1835 trademark, at least up to 1910.
Since your spoon is not marked "A1" or "XII" for silverplate, it may not have been silverplated.
If not, this likely makes your nickel silver spoon an early one, around the turn of the century.

Here's an 1899 R. Wallace & Sons advertisement:
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Pat.

What a great Ad for the Wallace Co.

Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 12:25 am
by JulieRL
Thanks for the response (it is so good to narrow down the dates - I double checked and there are no other markings except the haystack, shield, rabbit and wheat stalks on the front.
Both Lewis Carroll White Rabbit (1865) and the March Hare both worn clothes as did Beatrix Potter's "Peter Rabbit" came out in England in 1904 - but he wore a jacket and trousers AA Milne came out even later.

I will have to research some turn of the century newspapers to see if I can find any other Wallace ad's - especially ones for baby/child spoon and accessories!